Faith Tried By Fire

Faith Tried by Fire

Dan. 3:16-18

Faith that depends upon the outcome of any contingency is mere speculation. True faith is unshaken confidence in God no matter what happens in the course of human events. The testimony to their faith by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is in the words "But if not." They were saying, "No matter what the outcome of this ordeal by fire, we believe God."

Such unconditional belief in God never misses the reward. This illustrious trio were cast bound into a fire so hot it destroyed those who threw them in. The fire only burned the bonds. The haughty, furious king beheld a sight which brought him to his feet in astonishment, saying, "Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" Receiving an affirmative answer, he said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." To the men in the furnace the king called, "Ye servants of the most high God, come forth" (vv. 24-26). Before, he was demanding they do homage to the golden image he had set up. All the officials and advisers to the king saw these men upon whom the fire had no power.

Now the king blessed God who delivered his servants; and he made a decree of condemnation upon anyone who should speak against the God of the Hebrews, "because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort" (v. 29). And the king promoted them.