April 23, 2018

One of the greatest attacks in the believer’s life today can be found in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  This attack was against their worship and their service. Nebuchadnezzar had released a decree commanding his image be worshipped and the penalty for failing to worship his image was a burning fiery furnace. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not bow to the image but remained faithful to God, this sent King Nebuchadnezzar into a rage and a fury.  The Hebrew boys were captured, brought before the king, and were questioned about “who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” They replied to the King saying, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand.” (Dan.3:14-17) This enraged the king more, so he commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal.

If the attack you have been facing feels like it is more intense than normal, know that the enemy is trying to hinder your worship and your service (faith and works).  Right in the middle of this attack, you will hear the same question that Nebuchadnezzar asked Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Who is this god who will deliver you? The enemy will try to use his fear tactics to take your focus off Jesus and onto the furnace. His goal is to have you doubt and question the promises of God concerning your life. Just like those Hebrew boys, we must stand firm on the word of God and declare His faithfulness, even in the furnace. The trial we are going through is not just about us, but others are looking in to see how we react as believers. When a heathen king looked into the furnace he didn’t just see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he saw the Son of Man. (Dan.3:24-25) Our faithfulness in the furnace may be the only Jesus others will see. We may not feel like that fourth man is in the fire, and it may be hard to see him because of the smoke, but know that He is there. I want to remind you today that the fire of the enemy will have no power, the hair on your head will not be singed, your garments not affected, and smell of smoke will not even be upon you as you endure the fiery furnace. (Dan.3:27)