Out of the Fire

Daniel 3:27

There have been many people rescued from fire. Most who come out of it are either burned or suffer from smoking inhalation. With most, there is some lasting scars or lung damage that is a grim reminder of their accident.

But in our text there are three young men by the name of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego who was delivered out of a fiery furnace unharmed, without burns, no smell of smoke and not one hair singed. What a miracle! It was their faith in God that brought deliverance. They refused to bow to the idol that Nebuchadnezzar had set up for everyone to worship. They knew that God was able, but if he didn’t chose to deliver them, they knew that to suffer for him, is to reign with him.

It is by faith that christians overcome the world. (1 John 5:4) Faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen. And by it many have obtained a good report. (Hebrews 11:1,2) In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we see that by faith, and through faith many overcame trials, tribulations, and torments. The writer goes on to speak of their greatness when he said that “The world is not worthy of them.” What a triumph of faith!

But I think the main lesson for us is not only did their faith deliver them from the fire, but that is was their faith that put them into the fire to begin with. Faith can get us out of trouble, but it also can get us into trouble as well. Their loyalty and devotion to God was demonstrated in the heat of the moment and the result of it was their faith in God brought about the kings ability to be able to see the Son of God in the midst of them. When they came out they were just the same as before, but Nebuchadnezzar would never be the same.

It was through their fiery trial that the king saw Jesus. God’s people are being tested in many ways right now, but instead of seeing it as a trial, we need to see it as an opportunity for people to see Jesus with us, among us, and most of all within us, sustaining us in the midst of it.

There were three things they possessed that provided a faith that pleased God.

· Their courage

· Their conviction

· Their togetherness

But the greatness of faith is not that we are glorified by our courage, convictions and togetherness, but that Jesus is glorified as our savior and the sustainer of our souls in the midst of our fiery trial.

I love you all and God bless!

Pastor Robby