IN THE FIERY FURNACE

Read Daniel 3:8-25

Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.  – Daniel 3:19 (NKJV)

Yesterday, I worked with the pizza ovens at my part-time job. Fear of burning the pizzas, I kept a close eye on the thermometer, which read 540 degrees Fahrenheit, and continuously requested my supervisor to double-check the oven temperature. He would always reply, “The oven needs to be hotter!” Whenever I checked the pies, the oven’s heat would singe my face, and I thought, “This has to be close to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.” 

For their faithfulness to God and the public declaration of their faith (verse 16,17), the king ordered the oven to be heated seven times its average temperature. Can you imagine his soldiers asking if it was hot enough and the king replying like my supervisor? Can you imagine the heat coming off the furnace? The hot flash of opening the furnace and throwing them in killed the men who threw them in (Verse 22). The king did not get the agonizing screams he expected to hear. To his astonishment, he exclaimed: “Look! 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” (verse 25).

The king was correct in his statement Jesus Christ was there in the midst of the furnace with them. Praise God that Jesus has not changed (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus promised to always be with us (Matthew 28:20). The Psalmist’s words are so comforting, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Prayer Focus: Overcoming trials, tribulations, and persecution.

Prayer: Mighty Father, thank You for Your faithfulness towards us. As those three Hebrew men proclaimed in the midst of their trial, today, we choose to serve no other God. Help us to remain faithful and serve you to the end; in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for Today: Jesus Is Standing In The Midst of Your Furnace.     

Contributor: Ms. Nichole Shaw (Florida, United States)

Screen Editor: Mr. Neil Cummings

Editor:  Mr. Eliezer D. Rodriguez