Text: Daniel 3:19-30

Dear Brethren,

TOTALLY UNAFRAID
It is one thing to desire to be brave. It is another thing to actually be brave in a tight spot. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego had already decided that they would be faithful and loyal to the Lord. Strengthened by their faith, they felt totally unafraid of the consequences their courageous faith in the Lord triggered off.

When we make a stand for our faith, we must also be prepared for tough consequences that may be triggered off. The three friends heard the command of the King Nebuchadnezzar to heat up the fiery furnace sevenfold.

Was that statement made to terrify the three friends? What difference would that make? The fiery furnace was already very hot and would kill all who were thrown inside it. What real difference would it make to those who were going to be burned to death, whether the furnace was made hotter seven times over? The three friends were totally unmoved and unafraid!

"I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE…WALKING IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE…" Daniel 3:25
The furious King Nebuchadnezzar couldn't have been more shocked! Firstly, the soldiers he sent to throw the 3 Jewish men into the fiery furnace were burnt to death. In order to throw the three friends into the furnace, they had to get close enough to the furnace. They got too close and the flames of fire must have set their clothes alight. They were killed while trying to kill the three brave young men.

The three friends who were bound hand and foot found that the flames only burned the ropes that were used to tie them up. Other than that, they were quite unharmed! This must have been a great shock to the proud king!

Then Nebuchadnezzar saw something else. There was a fourth person in the fiery furnace. The humbled king exclaimed,

"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."
Daniel 3:25

The king could hardly believe what he was seeing. What was happening? How could this be? Who was the fourth person in the fiery furnace?

"BLESSED BE THE GOD OF SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABED-NEGO…" Daniel 3:28
The king was truly humbled by the display of such great power! He could not help but be awed by what he had just seen. He could not help but exclaim that the God of these three young men was not to be trifled with! What glory God won for Himself that day - through the courageous faith of the three friends. How courageous are you?

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 6th May 2001, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore