When Faith Goes Through The Fire

Throughout the centuries, individuals who have committed themselves to fully follow the will and way of God have found themselves in conflict with the world. Perhaps one of the most vivid illustrations of this fact is the recurring conflict between Daniel and his friends and the Babylonians.

Notice some foundational principles that undergirded their faith in God that can help believers in today’s world.

I- THE WORLD SYSTEMATICALLY CHOOSES THE PATHWAY OF REBELLION AGAINST GOD ()

A- The world systematically choose to worship and serve the created rather than the creator. ()

Daniel 3:1 NLT

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

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Romans 1:18–23 NLT

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

B- The world systematically attempts to force conformity to its rebellion against God ().

Daniel 3:2–7 NLT

2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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Romans 12:1–2 NLT

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

II- THE BELIEVER’S REFUSAL TO TAKE PART IN THE WORLD’S REBELLION WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED. ()

A- There are ungodly people who desire to destroy committed believers. ()

Daniel 3:8 NLT

8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews.

1- Remember the source of this animosity toward God’s people. () ()

1 Peter 5:8 NLT

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

John 8:44 NLT

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2- “Informed” is literally “ate the pieces of,” a phrase suggesting severe hatred and bitter language. “Chewed them out” might be a comparable English idiom, though not as harsh. These astrologers expressed great hostility toward “the Jews.” Although personal jealousy was likely the primary motive for the astrologers’ animosity, anti-Semitism may have been involved.

“Denounced” is literally “ate the pieces of,”51 a phrase suggesting severe hatred and bitter language. “Chewed them out” might be a comparable English idiom, though not as harsh. These astrologers expressed great hostility toward “the Jews.” Although personal jealousy was likely the primary motive for the astrologers’ animosity, anti-Semitism may have been involved.

B- These ungodly people attempt to incite others against God’s people. ().

Daniel 3:9–14 NLT

9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?

In the days of the early church, Christians were falsely accused of crimes against the state and other crimes. Evil men incited riots against believers. (see ; )

III- THE BELIEVER MUST ANCHOR HIS FAITH TO CONFIDENCE IN A LIVING GOD ().

Daniel 3:15–18 NLT

15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

A- Confident faith in God helps the believer’s commitment to remain unshakable.

1- Note the answer of the Jewish men: ()

Daniel 3:16 NLT

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

a. No apology was to be given for their stand. This was not a “proud reply,” it was a “firm” reply. Their minds were made up.

No apology was to be given for their stand. This was not a “proud reply” as Lacocque thinks;55 it was a “firm” reply.56 Their minds were made up.

B- Confident faith in God is focused on the big picture beyond self.

1- The Hebrew had no doubts about God’s ability- in spite of Nebuchadnezzar’s taunts. ()

Daniel 3:15 NLT

2- They knew God was able. ()

Daniel 3:17 NLT

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

3- They were firm in their commitment to God - even if He did not deliver them. ()

Daniel 3:18 NLT

18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Note Paul’s resolve while facing trial before Caesar: ()

Philippians 1:21–23 NLT

21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

IV- THE BELIEVER MUST TRUST IN GOD FOR FULFILLMENT OF THE BIG PICTURE. ()

A- When the world is at its worst, it does not change our relationship with the God we serve! ().

Daniel 3:19–23 NLT

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

B- Ultimately, the world will have to face their helplessness before our God. ()

Daniel 3:24–30 NLT

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.

note:

The expression “a son of the gods” ascribes deity to the being, since an offspring of the gods partakes of the divine nature. “The meaning is son of deity, i.e., a Divine Person, one of the race of the gods, a supernatural being.”... the king believed that he had seen no less than a god in the flames with the three Hebrews.

the expression “a son of the gods” ascribes deity to the being, since an offspring of the gods partakes of the divine nature. Young remarks: “The meaning is son of deity, i.e., a Divine Person, one of the race of the gods, a supernatural being.”72 The NRSV’s “the appearance of a god” seems to capture the idea well, for the king believed that he had seen no less than a god in the flames with the three Hebrews.

From the Christian perspective, we know that the preincarnate Christ did appear to individuals in the Old Testament. Most likely the fourth man in the fire was the angel of the Lord, God himself in the person of his Son Jesus Christ. It is certainly true that when believers go through fiery trials Christ is with them. The three Hebrews experienced literally the promise, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” ().

3:26 Probably in order to get a better look and so that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could hear him, Nebuchadnezzar came near the opening of the furnace and shouted for the Hebrews to come out of the fire and appear before him. The king was now convinced that Yahweh, the God of Israel, was truly great, “the Most High God.” Yet this faith in Yahweh was well within the scope of pagan, polytheistic religious concepts, for the king merely considered Yahweh the great God (at least for the present) among many.

Philippians 2:9–11 NLT

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Revelation 19:11–16 NLT

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

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