There are several things we learn from the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace:
1: A PARTNERSHIP LEADING UP TO THE FIRE
How these men must have been an encouragement to each other in such difficult circumstances! I could never have come as far as I have without the love and support of so many partners in life and ministry. It is the midst of “fiery trials” that you become most aware of your need and most grateful to God for His provision.
2: THE PRESENCE OF GOD WITH THEM IN THE FIRE
God was with them in the fire by His angel. He used the fire to set them free from their bonds. He did not allow the fire to do them any harm. God is always with us. Even in the difficult times. He is in control. He is using the “fire” of suffering to set us free not from physical bonds, but from the bonds of sin: pride, prejudice, and self will. Thus suffering always has as its one great purpose: to make us more like Christ.
3: THE PERSISTENCE OF THE THREE MEN IN THE FIRE
It is easy to trust and obey God when it feels good to do so. The most inspiring thing about the actions of these three young men was that they steadfastly refused to deny God even when stripped of all pleasurable feeling. It is when we do what God requires even when it does not feel good, even when there is no outward sign of God’s blessing, even when we may feel forsaken – as was Christ on the cross – it is when we trust God in these circumstances that we prove the genuineness of our faith.
4: THE PASSING NATURE OF THE FIRE
The fire did not last forever. Our time of trial will not last forever. It may seem long, but God is working in it. Be patient. Pray. Don’t let Satan use it to his advantage. Even if the “fire” lasts a lifetime it is still not forever. We need to learn to view things from the perspective of eternity.
5: THE PERFECTIONS OF GOD ARE SHOWN BY THE FIRE
In the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, God was able to bring good out of their situation.
I have cerebral palsy. I wouldn’t have chosen it. I can’t change it. And neither has God chosen to. I can testify however that God has brought good out of my cerebral palsy in the past. Now that I have been diagnosed with leukaemia. I pray that God will use that too. Again, I believe with all my heart that God is able to deliver me out of this “fiery furnace”. I am praying for this. But even if He does not I hold fast to the truths I have long believed. God is our loving heavenly Father. We can trust Him to only lead us through those things which are necessary to make us the people we need to be – whether in this life or the next.
(DAVID BURGE)