Day 21: No Smell of Fire
Read: Daniel 3:1-30
My imagination is overwhelmed today by the picture painted in Daniel 3. The enormity of the golden image, the vastness of the plains and the majesty of Babylon are almost too much to absorb. That’s where we’re standing today as we watch the courage of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Long before today’s story unfolds on the plain of Dura, these three men and their friend, Daniel, had decided to follow God and not defile themselves with all that Babylon had to offer (see Daniel 1). That’s why I am not surprised by their stance in today’s reading. Even knowing that, I’m still impressed. As with others we’ve studied, we need to remember they didn’t have the luxury of knowing everything would turn out as it did.
Imagine you’re looking out across the plain and you can hear the music playing, indicating it is time to bow down and worship the 90-foot statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. The masses fall down in worship but as you look in the distance, you notice three guys standing. It’s easy to see because there is a stark contrast as they stand tall while the others lay prostrate.
That is exactly what the Babylonian officials saw and they weren’t pleased so they told Nebuchadnezzar all about it. The king was furious. Not at all phased, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego declared they didn’t need to defend themselves, the God they served was able to save them but even if he did not, they still wouldn’t bow down. Uh-oh. Even more furious, the king upped the ante and increased the heat of the furnace, killing the soldiers who threw them in.
After these three men decided to follow God in captivity and wouldn’t bow down, why did he allow that to happen to them? Did he not see them standing out on the plain of Dura? He most assuredly did. He had to be pleased with their faith. He was also about to do something big.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t walk in that fire alone. Jesus was right there with them. He could have chosen to deliver them from the fire but instead, he walked through it with them. At the end, their bodies were not harmed, no hair on their heads was singed, their robes weren’t burned, and incredibly, there was no smell of fire on them.
The results of their faith were three-fold: first, Nebuchadnezzar praised God; second, he decreed nobody say anything against God; and third, he promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Living in Babylon was no cakewalk for a captive. The culture was completely against anything righteous or godly. Sound familiar? I think we can all agree we live in unprecedented times. God is looking for people who have such faith. It’s fascinating that someone can have faith in Christ to save them from their sins but not have faith in their everyday life. Those concepts are incompatible.
If you’re living for Christ, you stand out among the crowd that is bowing down. It might be tempting to follow them but I encourage you to follow the example of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The God you serve is able to save you, whether that be on this earth in the flesh or in heaven in the spirit. There is no need to fear what might happen to you (Matthew 10:28-29, Luke 12:4-5, Hebrews 13:6) so choose to stand for the One who can, and will, reward you for eternity. Make a decision not to defile yourself.
Prayer: Lord, I want faith like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I want to stand out from the crowd as I follow you. Walk with me as you did with them. Protect me, guide me and give me courage.