NOT ALONE IN THE FIRE

• DAY 130
• FEAR FILE: THE THREE HEBREW BOYS
• SCRIPTURES: DANIEL 3

This is part 3 of our study from the book of Daniel. If you missed yesterday click here to catch up.

And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? Look! 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.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

Daniel 3:20-27

Our text today is the aftermath of the decision of these friends. When you make a decision to stand for God, don’t think that the world is just going to lie down and take it like a lamb. Your faith, sometimes, hurts feelings and affects people’s way of life. It could even be within the parameters of illegal so expect the consequences.

Fire That Frees

For Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego the consequence was a fiery furnace and the king ensured that it was intensified. They heat it up seven times. It was so hot that it consumed those who came near it to throw them in. But guess what happened to these courageous boys? The fire had no power on them. They didn’t smell like smoke, the fire didn’t even affect a single hair on their body. All it did was set them free from the bounds they entered with.

This is a word for somebody, that mess you find yourself in won’t devour you, it will set you free. You will come out looking like you went through nothing. But before you even come out, you will walk around freely. You will find comfort in that fiery situation. It will not overwhelm you. You will be joyful in the night as you await the morning joy and those who are watching will wonder in amazement.

Why?

Why did the fire become so powerless? Because Jesus showed up. Isaiah 43 tells us that WHEN we go through the fire we will not be consumed because God is with us. God in the fire changes its composition, function and purpose; even it’s temperature. That’s what God’s presence does in any situation That’s why you can go through the valley of the shadow of death and not fear. It really doesn’t look scary on the inside because God is there. 

God Is There

Beloved, God is there. Jesus has stepped into that fire. Every time you stick to God no matter the cost, you’ve invited Jesus in. Because you refused to dishonor that man as your husband even though he doesn’t deserve it, Jesus has stepped in. Since you chose to led that child in your class to christ, Jesus has stepped into the court case. Because you chose to not compromise to get rich, Jesus has stepped in the trenches with you. So when you should be losing your mind, you are still, why? Because it doesn’t feel like it looks.

From the outside people see a fire but on the inside you see a time of fellowship with Yeshua. They see lack but you see dependence on the provision of Christ. They see suffering, you see separation. It doesn’t feel like it looks because you are not alone.

Doesn’t Look Like It

The King had to call them out. These friends had forgotten that they were in the fire. They were free but they didn’t come out. I didn’t get it at first. If the bounds were loose, why linger there? I believe it’s because it didn’t feel like fire. Jesus stepped in and it suddenly felt like home. They were relaxed, they could walk around. Why hurry to go back to a place where Jesus isn’t? The fire gave them access to intimate fellowship with God and leaving was not so desirable.

Beloved, you are not alone in that fire. It hurts, I know, but examine it again, it doesn’t feel as it should. That thing you are in and feeling only pain, took people’s lives. It took their minds. It cost them more. You are having a different experience. Walk around. Talk to Jesus, you are about to be called out.

Shalom.