Scripture Reading: Daniel 3:1-30, Psalm 27:1-14, Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 11:32-40
Courage under fire. We often encounter situations that require us to stand up for our beliefs, even at the risk of loss. We speak up about an injustice. We blow the whistle on unethical behaviors at work. We refuse to endorse societal values that clash with the truth of God’s Word. We perform these acts of bravery, knowing they can result in loss of our jobs, our relationships, and even our social standing. The pressure to back down can be tempting.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood this pressure and refused to let even the threat of death sway them. God had their complete trust; they placed their fate in His hand. When faced with the fiery furnace that was meant to be their death sentence, they declared, “But even if [God] does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3:18). What a bold proclamation from these three young men in the presence of such a powerful king! They chose faith in God over fear of a human king. No matter how intense Nebuchadnezzar made the fire, the young Jewish men refused to abandon their trust in the Lord.
Their story gives us a powerful picture of what unwavering faith in God looks like in our own lives. We trust that He is with us, no matter what flames we face. We trust in Him when we are sick, encounter financial hardship, and even lose our loved ones. He promises to be with us through it all (Isaiah 43:2). And so even when the king made good on his fiery threat, God proved that He had not abandoned His faithful ones (Daniel 3:25).
The Lord can also use our faithfulness to change people’s thoughts and actions in ways we cannot even begin to imagine. Nebuchadnezzar marveled at the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego after witnessing their delivery from the fire, acknowledging, “There is no other god who is able to deliver like this” (v.29). Even further, he passed a law that forbade anyone else from speaking against God. This allowed other Jewish exiles to worship God without fear of punishment. This all came about because three young men refused to give up their faith.
And what about us? How do we respond when it seems as if everything and everyone is against us? We lean in closer to the One who refuses to abandon us. We trust that as we walk through the flames, He is with us every step of the way.
Written by Tameshia Williams
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86 thoughts on "Delivered from the Fire"
I remember when I was in the fire. Thank you Jesus I don’t look like what I have been through
Some of my favorite scripture
Anen
Here are the Lyrics to Fouth Man in the Fire by Johnny Cash from my childhood. I’ll post a link to a performance of it on our FB page.
Well in the land of babylon
Old King Nebucchadnezzar was on the throne
And he told his people said build a golden idol out there in the
And tell everybody in the Kingdom that I said “Bow down and worship that golden idol”
Well they built that golden idol but they were three men
Three stiff naked men in the kingdom that wouldn’t do it
There were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
So King Nebucchadnezzer said “Take them, throw them in the fire and burn them up”
So they threw them in the fiery furnace but they didn’t get burned up
Because there was a fourth man in the fire
Now the prophet Daniel tells about
Three men who walked with God
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Before the wicked king they stood
And the king commanded them bound and thrown
Into the fiery furnace that day
But the fire was so hot that the men were slain
That forced them on their way
They wouldn’t bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn’t bow
They would not bow their knees to Idols made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the Fourth Man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn
Now when the three were cast in and the king rose up
To witness this awful fate
He began to tremble at what he saw
In astonished tones he spake
Did we not cast three men bound
Into the midst of the fire
I believe I see four men unhurt
Unbound and walkin’ down there
I see Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
And the fiery coals they trod
But the form of the Fourth Man that I see
Is like the Son of God
They wouldn’t bend
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They wouldn’t bow
They would not bow their knees to Idols made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the Fourth Man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn
They wouldn’t bow
They held on to the will of God so we are told
They would not bow their knees to Idols made of gold
They wouldn’t burn
They were protected by the Fourth Man in the fire
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn
They wouldn’t bend
They wouldn’t bow, they wouldn’t burn
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Arthur Smith
I’ve always loved this story. When I was little, my mom had an album by Johnny Cash that told this story. And hearing him say that the 4th man in the fire was like the Son of God always gave me goosebumps. If I can find it, I’ll post it here.
The other song that came to mind is Even If by MercyMe. Just ask ourselves … even if God doesn’t save me from my greatest trials or hardships or heartbreak, will my faith still remain strong?
Here are some of the words from this song:
I know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone
I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You’d just say the word
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone
Even If is one of my very favorite songs and
I have shared it countless times so I didn’t share it today. Thanks for sharing! I saw the song by Johnny Cash on Youtube when I was looking for something to post yesterday but I didn’t listen to it. The memory you shared prompts me to do so. ❤
Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone. The only time I remember of taking a public stand for a cause was when I was teaching and they were forcing teachers to join the teachers’ union or pay a representation fee. I did neither because as a Christian, I could not support their cause. I did not like what they stood for. Education was certainly not their priority. I was mocked many times and sued. The teachers’ union goal is to be the single most powerful organization in the US and to influence government. How well we saw that played out during Covid. We are still seeing it played out in the control of teaching materials used in our schools. I sympathize with all of you teachers who may be forced to join.
Good for you Elaine! Yes, I admire the teachers that have taken the heat the last few years for standing with your beliefs! To stand alone is hard, but be a Daniel! I am thankful for those that fight with us for our religious freedoms!
“We trust that He is with us, no matter what flames we face.”
That can be read as a bold statement but the thought really seemed the immediate response of S,M & A. Their trust in God in response to what should surely be their death was courage,steadfast,unwavering and intentional. I would like to whole heartedly say yes that woold be my response when faced with fire, but in all honesty, I falter easily….sigh. I have often felt weak, weary and a doubter. I have fretted, missed the opportunity to stand up for Jesus, and not represented what being a committed, all out for Jesus Christian looks like. Praise God for His grace and mercy, for His forgiveness and second chances and that He is indeed faithful and trustworthy in all things. With all the uncertainty and up and downs that surround my health the reminder that He is in the fire with me, is so encouraging. And, praise God that we have the Bible. The truth of scripture that tells us over and over again in countless ways of how faifthful, trustworthy, awesome, holy, mighty, powerful and Sovereign He is. And that because of who He is, I can hold fast to Him, stand firm, be strong, courage, bold and trust in Him.
I am changing up the verbiage of Tameisha’s last questions and sentences….
“And what about you Wendy? How do you respond when it seems as if everything and everyone is against you? Wendy, lean in closer to the One who refuses to abandon you. Wendy trust that as you walk through the flames, He is with you every step of the way.❤️
Thank you Jesus ✝️
I, along with a few of you were curious and wondering where Daniel was when S, M & A were in the furnace. I did some searching and found no definitive answer but I read a couple places that suggested because Daniel had been appointed to a high position in the royal court he could have been tending to King Neb’s business on his behalf. Could be I guess?
FAITH
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FEAR
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This is the motto I desire to live by. It will only be by the power of the Holy Spirit that I will have victory!
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I pray that nothing will ever sway me from trusting and obeying my God, the same God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
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One thing I ask
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that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
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all my life
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to gaze on His beauty
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I will sing and make music to the Lord
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Happy Friday She’s! Coming a little late to the “party” today. Praying you all have a wonderful, blessed weekend!❤️
Amen Sharon, amen.. hugs❤️
I shared
FAITH over FEAR
yesterday! ❤☺❤
“Through the fire. To the limit.
Come what may.
For the right to serve my God.
I give my life away.”
… a musical reverie …
“Right beyond the wire.”
Beautiful GWINETH52 ❤️
Amen
❤️
I worry within our own country we may be persecuted for our belief in God. Will we stand up? I certainly hope and pray that we can and will.
Be strong and courageous!
I recommend the book “Put Your Warrior Boots On” by Lisa Whittle! She really opens your eyes and gets your fired up to stand strong…not then and if, but NOW!
Thanks for the book recommendation, Rhonda.
I’m giving this a rock hitter
Rhonda J asked, “Do we still love him?” (Even when…)
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I want my answer to that to always be, “Yes!” Let us trust that He will always do the right thing.
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You know He will!
Thank you for your prayers!
I love the story of S,M, and A! What strong faith to say No, to authority knowing there will be a heavy cost- in this case their very lives. We have seen this here in America, not very often but plenty in the last 5 years of jobs lost for refusing to do what the gov ordered, what schools and jobs require. What faith these people have standing firm in their beliefs! I just don’t know what I would do in those situations! I’m guessing if it was my life, I would fold.
These faithful men said “Even if!” God chooses not to save us…it is well.
That’s the thing, we serve him regardless if our situation and the potential outcome! We KNOW (Believe) He can save us, but the outcome may not be what we desire. It’s that faith knowing and trusting God to do as He sees fit. It is working for the good of those who love him…but we don’t know what that looks like in the big scheme of things. It may not mean rescues, do we still love him or do we start begrudging him? Many, as in the parable of the seeds, do not have seeds in good soil. We must be rooted firmly growing strong in our roots to grow a firm foundation that withholds the storms.
Lord when things look bleak we will keep our eyes on you. When we start to sink by looking at our circumstances, let us quickly reach for you. When we get to the impossible end as the red sea with enemies coming to our demise…let us still keep strong in your coming rescue and miracle parting of the waters. Even if you don’t do what we are asking may we never, never think it is because you don’t care or see us, for you do. Your plan is good. Even if our days are don’t see healing and rescue we have it in the end- Hallelujah, we will have our heavenly home! We set our lives on this. In Jesus name, amen.
Song- “Even If” by Mercyme
That’s the one that came to my mind also❤️
❤️
Amen!
Praying for your Dad, Rhonda. And praying for you also, dear Sister.
❤❤❤ You know that’s a favorite song of mine!
I grew up in America, where “ in God we trust” is stamped on our currency. Now, most young people don’t use this type of currency and it seems to be fading away. As a young girl in school, we called our holiday “ Christmas vacation” and we had programs and plays that told of Christ‘s birth. This is gone from the public school. As a young woman, I never imagined being asked, let alone mandated to worship another god or face torture. I wonder if these three young men felt the same. Now we elect people that do follow a mandate to face the sun, kneel down, pray, and worship a god five times a day. I’m feeling very ashamed of ever being angry because I was mocked for my belief in Jesus or for being afraid to proclaim the gospel. A little mocking compared to torture? I’m sorry, but I’m feeling like.” oh me of a little faith.” I’m thankful for Psalm 23 and 27, to help build my faith. “ the Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life who should I dread?” Jesus help me be strong and courageous.
Yes agreed. I have been saying it for awhile and even feel alone among Christians…we ARE going to see much more persecution because they do not want our God to be any part of this country anymore. The devil is the prince of this world, we know that but America was built on God, even though there was religious freedom. But we have gone to the wayside, blending in with the ways of the world.
Good points! I remember after 9/11 I hung a poster in my classroom in a public school that said, “In God We Trust.” Another teacher said to me, “You can’t do that.” I said it will stay there until I’m told I have to take it down. It was still there when I retired in 2006.
❤❤❤
I have felt the same way many times, Monie – being afraid to proclaim the gospel etc. But praise God for each new day, a day we can start fresh and do the right thing. God gives us opportunity after opportunity – He is SO gracious and merciful!
God not only didn’t abandon them, he was WITH them. Our God never ceases to amaze me.
Random thought… I wonder where Daniel was when S,M and A would not bow to the statue. And I wonder where he was when they went into the fire.
Right? My thoughts too. ❤️
Curious of the same. I was thinking that when I was reading this morning.
I actuallt dug a little into that. Gotquestions.org had a good article on that question, but the answer is nobody knows for sure. ❤
Because Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were given different duties, it’s possible that Daniel was off doing business away from the capitol – but, the Bible doesn’t say so we don’t really know for sure.
From the NIV APPLICATION BIBLE:
There is a constant threat to dilute the worship of the true God by elevating anything or anyone else to a comparable place of importance in our lives. Even as Christians, we are constantly in a struggle with this temptation. Whatever those societal idols are in our lives, whatever it is that distracts us and pulls our attention away from things that matter, we can learn from the example of these godly young men about the miraculous change that can come when we make a courageous stand for our commitment to God’s way.
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SHES, it’s ironic that we are reading this section today. Yesterday several businesses in a small town near me were destroyed by fire. A couple of those businesses were very special to our family.
Please pray for those affected by the fire in Walhalla, SC. ❤
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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SONG SHARE:
Trust In God (feat. Chris Brown & Isaiah Templeton) | Elevation Worship
Lyrics:
Blessed assurance
Jesus is mine
He’s been my fourth man in the fire
Time after time
Born of His Spirit
Washed in His blood
And what He did for me on Calvary
Is more than enough
I trust in God
My Savior
The One who will never fail
He will never fail
Oh no, that’s awful. I just know it in my gut, things are speeding up, I’m afraid of where we will be within another 10 years. We just don’t realize what is happening in front of us, we are too distracted or as in Germany… in denial until it’s too late.
❤
Praying for the business owners in your town ❤️
❤ thanks, Teresa!
Palms 27:4 I’m asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
I’ll study at his feet.
27:5 That’s the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.
❤️
I love the reminder to be bold in our faith even when it goes against what others say. I’ve had a coworker who has mocked my faith on a few occasions over the past year that I have been with the company. It deeply angers me that someone could mock God so openly without fear. Once my anger settles, I have started to pray that through my faith, I would be witness to this coworker and that God would be at work within him!
You can do it Susan. Surround yourself with the spirit and he will give you the words at the perfect time.
Check your company policies. You may have a case.
There is no more effective way to win them over than to pray for them and love them!
Pray for blessings on those who mock you or are your enemies. I’ve seen it make a tiny difference in them, but a huge difference in me. ❤️
❤️
“How do we respond when it seems as if everything and everyone is against us?“
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I tend to either get angry or have a pity party because of the “injustice” I’m experiencing. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah instead leaned into God for delivering justice.
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Again today we see a stark contrast between N’s manic fits of rage and the calm response of God’s servants. They lived out Psalm 27:13-14:
“I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart be courageous.
Wait for the Lord.“
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May we do the same with what “fire” we are in today.
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Praying for your requests.
❤️
Well said, Kelly! ❤
I tend to get angry or have a pity party…
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Same.
I am quite sure I am not alone in thinking of this song!
Hillsong: Another in the Fire
There’s a grace when the heart is under fire
Another way when the walls are closing in
And when I look at the space between
Where I used to be and this reckoning
I know I will never be alone
There was another in the fire
Standing next to me
There was another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
Of how I’ve been set free
There is a cross that bears the burden
Where another died for me
There is another in the fire
All my debt left for dead beneath the waters
I’m no longer a slave to my sin anymore
And should I fall in the space between
What remains of me and this reckoning
Either way I won’t bow
To the things of this world
And I know I will never be alone
I pray that we remember this when we are in the “fires” of life”. Happy Friday ladies!
BTW: my brother’s will has been in probate for over a year, emergency status was issued in June. We have a buyer for his house but cannot close without the court papers. My nieces are losing money each month, and we are afraid of losing our buyer who has been more than patient. I am going to call the court today, please pray for favor and for God to move. He is our ONLY hope. Thank you!
I’m sure the probate situation is frustrating. Praying you find favor with the court.
love this song! great reminders
I love that song so much!!
Praying for remedy from the court today! ❤️
Praying, Tami, that you find favor with the court today!
Thought of that song too, Tami.
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Prayers about court and probate. ❤️
Praying Tami for favor with the court today and your nieces.❤️
Praying that God will show your family favor, that all will be sped up and that the house sale is not lost.
That wad actualky a new song for me, Tami; thanks for sharing! Joining in prayer!
Love that song, Tami. And praying for things to quickly go well with the court.
Amen!
Amen❤️
This is it, is it not, Ladies?
“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
We will not serve your god or the image you have set up – not what if, but even if. Because they knew that “when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you”.
Such amazing courage and faith because they knew the God whom they did serve and worship. May it be true of us!
Yesterday Big N, was trusting Daniel to interprete his dream! And he was changed, to the point of bowing to the ground and praising God.. “..your God is the greatest of all gods, the Lord over kings..”
He even rewarded Daniel, raising him to a high position and gifting him much!
Today, big N, puts Daniel and friends in a hot hot furnace, because they disobeyed an order to worship some gold something he had ordered all to worship..
Did he forget his high praise of the one the four worshipped?
So here we are, it feels like his words of yesterday’s reading had been ‘surface’ talk, he had not taken to his heart, the wonder of God.
Daniel and friends are thrown into the hottest furnace, thst hot, it affected those on the outside!
God is always moving, for His people, for the betterment of those who love Him and those whose hearts He wants to change..
God was with the four, as we know, and yet when big N, looked in, he sees five, one looking like an angel, he calls them out of the smoky hot furnace..
“Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! He sent His angel and rescued these men who serve and trust Him..”
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The words of the two that walked a
the Emmaus road came to mind(Matthew 24:32)… ” Did not our hearts burn while He talked with us..” as I imagined big N, finally got it!
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It may take a while for the penny to drop, oh but when it does, when the realisation comes.. Glory Hallelujah, when we know nothing else, but God’s faithfulness, presence, hope and love, we can walk through the fiery furnace of life, knowing He is with us, every step of our journey..
Big N’s journey surely began that way..
One can hope!
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Amen.
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Happy Friday, my dears, covered in much love, hugs and prayers..❤️❤️❤️
Tina, I believe it was just the three that were in the fire. And then the Fourth Man appeared. I know there is some question amongst biblical Scholars about who the fourth man was.
oops, I beg your pardon. you’re so right. I was thinking Daniel was with them.. thank you fir the correction.. and as the saying goes.. i stand corrected!
❤️
“Knowing He is with us” Hallelujah! ❤️
My biggest observation about Nebuchadnezzar in each of these situations is that he may acknowledge the true God, but he does not truly WORSHIP him. Otherwise, he never would have set up a giant gold statue (presumably of himself, perhaps inspired by Daniel’s interpretation of the dream?) for his subjects to worship. That is the problem with wearing the garb of true faith without letting it affect us deep in our hearts. Surface religion is worthless, and it is a temptation we must all be aware of. It is especially dangerous in a culture like ours (USA, particularly in the South), where religion has always been socially accepted. In parts of the world where persecution abounds, the church is growing by leaps and bounds; so maybe we shouldn’t be so afraid of it. Nobody WANTS to be persecuted, but if we want more of Jesus, that might be what we need. Just something to meditate on…
I agree, Magaret. I just listened to a message where I was reminded that those who are only living with surface religion will not be in heaven. . We need to give it all to the Lord.
Good Early morning! We are driving through the night home, singing worship songs! I have not read the study yet. Please continue to pray for my Daddio. He had another awful day. Praying Lord, lifting up dad to you still, knowing YOU Lord are the healer. Also praying for safe travels home. Praying for my grandson and nephew as they are in the fire, knowing God is there and ready to save them!
praying Rhonda, Praying for your safe traveled for dad’s healing.., for the family members who are in the fire… my dear, BUT GOD.. AMEN.
Much love Rhonda, covered in prayers. ❤️
I have already prayed for you and your sweet family this morning when I read comments from yesterday. Praying for safe travels, pain relief/healing for your dad, comfort and peace for your sister and entire family, and strength for your nephew and grandson. ❤️
Amen, Lynne! Your prayers are mine too. ❤️
Praying Rhonda!
Praying in agreement with you!
Praying, Rhonda! ❤❤❤
Praying, Rhonda, for relief of your dad’s pain & safety in driving if you are still on the road.
Praying for your requests, Rhonda!
Praying Rhonda❤️
Praying, Rhonda, for your dad and for your family and you ❤️
❤️❤️❤️