“But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” – Daniel 3:25
Are you good at hanging on to the promises of God? Promises like protection, peace, rest, healing, forgiveness, love, abundant life, His presence? Do you “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you?” (1 Peter 5:7). Do you rest in Jesus’ promise that he will be with you always? (Matthew 28:20).
In today’s account, three young Hebrew men are thrown into the fire due to the ire of King Nebuchadnezzar. These young men were well educated and probably aware of the writings of the prophet Isaiah. As they were bound and thrown into the blaze, they may have recalled the promise, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you” (Isaiah 43:2, NASB). Bible teacher and speaker Warren Wiersbe declared that faith sustained these young men. “True faith isn’t frightened by threats” not holds onto “feelings within us, the circumstances around us, or the consequences before us.”
Theologian Dr. Renald Showers writes of five things that “startled” King Nebuchadnezzar. “First, there were four persons instead of three in the furnace. Second, not one of the persons was bound. Third, all four persons were walking around in the fire—none was lying down. Fourth, all four persons were unhurt. Fifth, the fourth person looked ‘like a son of the gods.’” Bible scholars agree that this was another Christophany… another preincarnate appearance of Jesus.
Though the young men had been bound as they went into the fire, their bonds were gone. Jesus may allow you some “furnace time,” but do not despair. He is with you. He will set you free. His deliverance is never halfway and, if you have been steadfast, when you emerge your relationship with the Living Christ will be stronger and more enduring than ever. And you will know that “in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Stand on His promises today. They are true and faithful.
Today’s Verse: Daniel 3:25
He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Daniel 3:19-27
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
