Going Through the Fire

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have abandoned their convictions, or given in to compromise. This would have been easy to justify. In light of the pressure they faced, everyone would have understood. Yet they remained faithful, even though they had to go through the fire.

Even though this fate likely meant certain death, they told Nebuchadnezzar that they believed that God was able to save them. “But even if he does not . . . we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

As they went into the fire, they did not know what would happen. They had to walk by faith, and trust God, believing that He was with them. Only after they were in the fire, did they see His hand. Their faith was rewarded. Even Nebuchadnezzar recognized that they were not in the fire alone. They had a supernatural intervention!

And because they had been faithful and trusted God, Nebuchadnezzar and all the other Babylonian officials had the opportunity to realize that their God was real. He was able to demonstrate that He was real after they had proven themselves faithful to Him through the trial.

They had experienced the reality of God’s promise to Isaiah. That “when you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you” (Isaiah 43:2). That is His promise to us, as it was to the Hebrews.

In your life, remember that He is with you in the midst of every situation. You may not know in advance what will happen. But you can move forward by faith and trust Him, regardless of circumstances. And as you are faithful, you will impact people all around you.