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. Daniel 3:22 NIV
You remember the story of Shadrach. Meshach and Abednego, who got thrown into the furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar? There was one huge battle of wills that day. Nebuchadnezzar wanted everyone to bow to his golden gods. However, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego elected not to obey his will. They desired to do God’s will. Some astrologers, or Chaldeans, noticed their disobedience to the king and “tattletailed” on them.
Nebuchadnezzar was so enraged that the three Jews would not obey him that he probably was as hot under the collar as the furnace was! He made the furnace seven times hotter than normal and told his strongest soldiers to tie them up and toss them into the furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar was determined that his will would be obeyed.
Something amazing happened next! The soldiers that took Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to the furnace? The flames burned the soldiers up, so Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego actually FELL into the fire, all tied up! (Daniel 3:22) They were not burned up by the fire like the soldiers. Not even a hair on any of them was singed, and Nebuchadnezzar’s heart changed to one that demanded everyone follow the God of these three men.
So many things jump out to me this morning and I thank the Lord for His goodness.
- The battle of wills will always be won by the Lord.
- Obedience to the Lord should always be our priority, no matter the consequences.
- Obedience to the Lord sometimes looks like disobedience to those in control.
- God is already at work battling for us when our will matches His.
- We can have faith in the fire because God is faithful.
- God fights for us!
Aren’t you glad God is with us in the fire but also before the fire? I am! I am getting blessed here in my office. God is so good! He thinks of everything when it comes to carrying us through fires. Are you going through a fire today, a trial? I think this story shows us that we can do God’s will and know that He will take care of us. He is the God of everything and everyone:)
With love from the Father to you,
Christina
Glory in the Morning 