Surviving the Fire

Photo courtesy of Jean Beaufort

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king."--Daniel 3:17 (KJV)

The above verse is from the familiar Bible story of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. They were the three Jewish young men thrown into a fiery furnace in Babylon.

Let’s start from the beginning: King Nebuchadnezzar ordered a gold statue to be built. Everyone in the land was ordered to bow down and worship the statue when music played. The cost of refusal was to be thrown into a huge, fiery furnace.

That’s how the trio of friends ended up in the incinerator. How hot was it? It was heated to seven times the usual temperature. The men who tossed the boys inside were immediately incinerated.  (They hadn’t even entered the building.)

What happened next was a miracle. The young men were seen walking around. The fire had burned off their bonds. A fourth man had joined them. He looked like a heavenly being.

Nebuchadnezzar was stunned. He called the friends to come out.

Here’s the real wonder: There was no smell of smoke. Not a single hair on their heads was burned.

This is absolutely extraordinary.  Here are two illustrations:

• A tiny spill on a hot oven burner may stink up an entire kitchen.
• One traveler could smell smoke at Ground Zero from the 9/11 terrorist attacks 15 years after the event. See that story here.

My Conclusion

We, too, can go through the metaphorical fire and come out not smelling like smoke. This is true of many celebrities.  High-fashion looks often conceal heartbreak and grief. (Well, they’re called “actors” for a reason.)

Everyday people also deal with their own issues. That’s why it’s helpful to believe in God’s guidance and protection.  The song, “Even if…”, by MercyMe, deals with this subject. Please enjoy these two quotes from the piece of music as well as the lyric video:

"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.

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"Oh give me the strength to be able to sing

It is well with my soul."

What fire have you survived? What fire are you surviving?