“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17 & 18 (NIV)
Are you familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? These teenagers lived in Babylon as captives in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. They refused to worship a golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar because they only would worship God. They were ordered to bow down and worship this statue and as today’s verses tell us, they said no.
They could say no because they put their trust in God. They knew that God would rescue them. They go on to say that even if things don’t work out with them living through the experience, they still will only worship God.
Enraged, the king has them thrown into a blazing furnace. And guess what? God rescues them! Now that would be a cool place to end the story, but that’s not where the story ends. You see, after they survive the blazing furnace without even smelling like smoke. King Nebuchadnezzar is left to only do one thing…read it for yourself.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned in to piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”
Wow! God’s name was proclaimed to all the people in Babylon. That’s the best part of the story. God gets glorified. I believe that God saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to further His name.
So what’s going on in your life right now that might just look a little impossible? Maybe it’s not looking good for you? Well, the better question is, how is it looking for God? He may be waiting to redeem whatever it is you are going through for His glory. Change your perspective. Take your eyes off of you and put them on your God. These three teenagers understood that their lives weren’t their own. They belonged to their God and they trusted Him completely. And in the end God’s name spread. Don’t miss the part where they also got a promotion. Hang in there. Focus on the Lord. Watch Him do mighty things through you.
