Do not be afraid of them for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, (Jeremiah 1:8, Isaiah 43:2b)
Nebuchadnezzar’s anger was kindled and in his rage he commanded the fires to be set seven times higher than usual. “Who do these men think they are? Do they not realize that to them I am like God right now? I will show them something that they will never forget.” Before these three men was the promise of God verses the wrath of a man who thinks he is God.
The decision has been made and there is no longer opportunity to change their mind. They were tied up and thrown into the fiery furnace like another log is cast into the fireplace. They were bound, to be certain they could not escape from the wrath of the king. It is amazing how quickly an infidel could change as he draws nearer to the fire and begins to feel the intensity of the flame.
For Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the commitment was made and they must face the consequences of obeying God. God sent His angel in the midst of the fire to protect them. Very often we must face the fires of adversity and like these three men, we also have the promises of God to hold to .He is faithful to keep His promise and we have hope that He will deliver us also. Consider these words written in this Hymn:
When through fiery trial thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply..
The flame shall not hurt thee I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy Gold to refine
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