A FIERY ORDEAL
In the Book of Daniel we read about the three young Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon and had made a golden statue 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide of himself; and he set it up on the Plain of Dura in Babylon. Then he called for all the leaders and all the people to bow down and worship this idol. The three Hebrews were brought before the king and the king told them to bow down and worship his gods and the golden idol or be thrown into the “furnace of blazing fire and what god can deliver you out of my hands?”
This story turns into “taking a stand” that has become an inspiration for every generation since. The three answered, “O, Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you answer concerning this. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he shall deliver us out of your hand, O king.” Now that is a remarkable stand and in severe circumstances. They have told the king, “no need to waste one word in argument about this issue, our God is able to deliver us from the blazing furnace and out of your hand” so the case is closed. Or is it?
To me, the case is really opened at this point by these words, “but even if He (God) does not.” It is great faith to believe that God will do something, but it is greater faith to believe if God does nothing. To tell the king “but even if He does not” deliver us from the fire and from the hands of the king,” and “let it be known to you, O King, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden idol you have set up.” There is a believing that comes even in adversity, or especially in adversity, that tests our deepest understanding and the very roots of our being. It is when we are trying to believe even when it appears all hope and prospect are gone. It is when we decide, “but even if He does not” do what I think or hope; I still will not give in. We stand even when the adversary is “filled with wrath and his facial expression is altered,” and, he gives orders, “to heat the furnace seven times more than it is usually heated.” It is fiery ordeals that test our faith and resolve.
“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Jesus