Absolute Faith – Faith Through Fire

Prayer: You have given me birth, O, Lord.  You have blessed me through your gifts of grace and faith that I might be rescued from eternal punishment.  You, Father, God, have given me life when I deserved death and punishment.  You have comforted me when I was weak.  You have lifted me up when I have fallen.  You have brought me through the fires of life unscathed.  Praise your name above all names.  Thank you, Jesus, for life and eternal life. Amen.

Main Scripture: Read Hebrews 1:34.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego quenched the fury of the flames and escaped the edge of the sword (Hebrews 1:34).

Moreover, at Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court (Daniel 2:49).

Associated Scriptures:

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him (Nahum 1:7).

For You have been a strong-place for those who could not help themselves and for those in need because of much trouble. You have been a safe place from the storm and a shadow from the heat.  For the breath of the one who shows no pity is like a storm against a wall.  Like heat in a dry place, you quiet the noise of the strangers.  Like heat by the shadow of a cloud, the song of the one who shows no pity is made quiet (Isaiah 25:4-5).

We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.  This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him (Psalm 91:1-5).

Correlative Quotes:

The three men could have compromised with the king and defended their disobedience by arguing, "Everybody else is doing it," or "Our office demands that we obey," or "We'll bow our knees but we won't bow our hearts." But true faith doesn't look for loopholes: it simply obeys God and knows that He will do what is best. Faith rests on commands and promises, not on arguments and explanations.[1] – Warren W. Wiersbe

The king impressed on them the importance of such submission, warning them that the penalty for rebellion (being thrown... into a blazing furnace; cf. 3:6) would be carried out immediately. Nebuchadnezzar considered himself above all gods, for he asked, What god will be able to rescue you from my hand? Again this shows that he claimed absolute authority in both political and religious realms. He was challenging any god to circumvent his authority. The matter then became a conflict between Nebuchadnezzar and Yahweh, the God of Daniel's companions.[2] – John Walvoord

Study:

Faith through fire is the account of the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  We find the narrative in Daniel 3:11-30. 

Synopsis: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were contemporaries of Daniel.  All four men had been taken to Babylon as part of the destruction and captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar.  They were so superior in knowledge and wisdom to the young Babylonian men that they received promotions to prominent positions within the occupying government. 

1. Faith through fire has no room for compromise: (Daniel 3:16-18) "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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."

They were not going to do anything that would compromise their love for God and their belief in him.

Two Principles:

1. They had previously weighed the consequences and had earlier decided to worship only God.
2. They had been instructed out of the scriptures since they were small children that they should not worship idols. Exodus 20:3 says, "You shall have no other gods before Me.”
3. Faith through fire is built on trust (Daniel 3:17-18)

Spiritually speaking, trust is the willingness to accept God’s perfect plan without question.

Two Possibilities:

1. That God would deliver them.
2. That God would allow them to die in the fire.

Either way, whatever happened they would trust in God.  In the first scenario, they would be delivered from the fire and continue to live.  God would be glorified on earth.  In the second option, they would become ashes in the furnace, but their souls would be in Heaven.  God would be glorified in Heaven.  They chose to follow Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV), which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

3. Faith through fire sets you free: (Daniel 3:24-27)

Two Perceptions

1. Four men, not three: Daniel 3:25 “Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’" The fourth man that the King saw walking with them through the fire was the “the Son of God.” This fourth person was the pre-incarnate Jesus.[3]
2. The fire had no effect on anyone: When the King peered into the oven, he could see that there was no effect on Shadrach, Meshach, or Abednego. No effect on the Son of Man. Not even Nebuchadnezzar was harmed (Daniel 3:26) – “Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace.” Nothing, not on their bodies, hair, garments, and no smell. 

Jesus says in John 8:32 (NKJV): “and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

4. Faith through fire draws others to the saving knowledge of Christ: Daniel 3:28

Two Proclamations:

1. Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
2. God is to be honored in all things and in all ways.

When you take a stand for God, others see and believe.  Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Summary Statement:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplify absolute faith.  When people believe so strongly in God that they are willing to lay down their lives rather than compromise their beliefs, that is extraordinary faith.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.

[2] John Walvoord,  Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries; © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.

[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.