It’s Getting Hot in Here

Daniel 3:19-26

Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire.

Reflections:

If ever we needed proof on just how awesome God is this is a good example. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego worshipped only one God. They did this with pride and Nebuchadnezzar was angry because they would not worship his god. You have to understand that his god was not our God. When music played he expected everyone to bow down before an idol god. Nebuchadnezzar knew of God but did not worship him. He built an idol that he worshipped. In our scripture we see how OUR GOD works. When you are dedicated to God he protects you from all harm. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego loved the Lord our God and wanted nothing to do with Nebuchadnezzar's god. Because of that they were sentenced to death by fire. Wasn't it a burning bush that spoke to Moses giving the Ten Commandments? When we are at our lowest point and call upon the Lord He steps in and proves himself. Shadrach which means "Command of Aku" Aku is the name of the Babylonian god of the moon, Meshach means "Who is what Aku is?", and Abednego means Servant of Nebo (Nebo being the Babylonian god of wisdom. So let's see the command of god, god himself and the god of wisdom is thrown in a fiery furnace and you think they are going to be destroyed? Nebuchadnezzar must have lost his mind if he thought he would be able to harm these men of God.

Our life can present itself as a blazing furnace. We go through bad times but never get burnt, we have hardship but our hair is never burnt. We get to our lowest point and God picks us up. Did you notice in our text that the men who were ordered to put them in the furnace were killed in the process? Interesting isn't it that those who try to destroy us are the ones who end up being destroyed themselves? God had better things in store for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He wanted to make them rulers but in order for them to get there they had to be tested, they had to overcome some stuff in their lives, they had to go through the furnace. When things around you get really hot, call upon the Lord to bring you out of it. When Satan has you bound, call upon the Lord to take the shackles off your feet so you can praise him. When Nebuchadnezzar saw how great God was he began to bless Our God. When the army of the Lord stands up Satan has to bow down. The Devil is already defeated and when we stand as one body in Christ we are putting him further and further in his place, Hell. God wants to place the evil people in your life to be your footstool so you can grow higher in Him. God has much in store for you but you have to go into the furnace and allow him to bring you out. I don't know about you but "IT"S GETTING HOT IN HERE!!"

Be Blessed and Encouraged