English
Português
Español
Français
Response
The remarkable tale of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young men who defied the powerful King Nebuchadnezzar and were cast into a fiery furnace, has captivated both young children and adults for generations. Chronicled in the third chapter of Daniel, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego imparts enduring lessons to present-day believers.
Due to their refusal to comply with the king’s decree to worship the idol, three accusations were leveled against them. They disregarded the king and his orders, they did not worship the king’s deities, and they declined to bow down to the golden image erected by the king himself. The consequence for their actions was death. Their reply to the king was profound:
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are cast into the fiery furnace, the God we serve is capable of saving us from it, and he will deliver us from your grasp, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to understand, O king, that we will not worship your gods or bow down to the golden image you have set up” (Daniel 3:15-18).
Their faith in the one true God is truly astonishing. Right from the start, their response during the trial affirmed three key aspects: their unwavering belief in the God of the Bible, their trust in the God who is faithful to His promises, and their faith demonstrated by their reliance on the only One who had the power to rescue them from harm. By choosing God over the most powerful king in the world, they showcased God’s supreme authority to non-believers. Their faith serves as a testament that God is capable of delivering us from our own challenges and tribulations.
As believers, we understand that God has the power to rescue. Nevertheless, we also acknowledge that He may not always intervene. Romans 5 informs us that God might permit trials to strengthen our faith.
Trials and difficulties in our lives help build our character, strengthen our faith, or serve other unknown purposes. We may not always comprehend the reasons behind our trials, but God simply asks us to trust Him—even when it is challenging. Job, who endured incredible pain, almost insurmountable agony, and suffering, was still able to say, “Though He may slay me, yet will I hope in Him” «Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him. », (Job 13:15).
We also understand that God does not guarantee that we will never suffer or experience death, but He does promise to be with us always. In times of trial and persecution, our attitude should mirror that of these three young men: “But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” «But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. », (Daniel 3:18). Undoubtedly, these are some of the most courageous words ever spoken.
Jesus Himself said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” «And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. », (Matthew 10:28). Even if Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to endure a horrible, painful death in a burning oven, they refused to forsake God and worship an idol. Such faith has been witnessed countless times throughout the centuries by believers who have suffered martyrdom for the Lord.
Nebuchadnezzar was astonished that the fire did not c
Consume Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He was even more amazed when he saw not three, but a fourth person with them: “Look!” he answered, “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” «He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. », (Daniel 3:25 NKJV). The point here is that, when we “walk by faith «(for we walk by faith, not by sight:) », (2 Corinthians 5:7), there may be those times of fiery persecution, but we can be assured that He is with us «teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.», (Matthew 28:20). He will sustain us (Psalm 55:22;Psalms 147:6). He will ultimately deliver us. He will save us … eternally «Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: », (Matthew 25:41,46) «And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.», (Matthew 25:41,46).
The chief lesson from the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is that, as Christians, we will never be able to bring the world to Christ by becoming like it. As did these three men, so should we in revealing to the world a higher power, a greater purpose, and a superior morality than the world in which we live.
Here we live. When faced with the fiery furnace, we can demonstrate the One who can rescue us from it. Recall the impactful, yet reassuring words of the apostle Paul:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Our hope during illness, persecution, or pain rests in understanding that this life is not the end—there is life beyond death. This is His promise to all who love and obey Him. Knowing that we will have eternal life with God empowers us to rise above the pain and suffering we face in this life «Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. », (John 14:23).
