Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Never Alone
“When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood out like three sore thumbs. King Nebuchadnezzar had erected a giant, gold-covered statue of himself and demanded that everyone worship it. Those who dared to disobey would be thrown into a furnace of fire.
Everyone bowed except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So Nebuchadnezzar decided to give them another chance. But they told him, “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. 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” (Daniel 3:17–18 NLT).
The king was so incensed that he gave an order for the furnace to be heated seven times hotter. It actually killed the soldiers who brought Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the brink of it.
The king thought that was the end of them. He couldn’t believe it when he spotted four shadowy figures walking around inside like it was a Sunday stroll. He said, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?...I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” (verses 24, 25 NLT). In fairness, this also could be translated “a son of the gods.”
I believe it was Jesus Christ walking around with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in that furnace of fire.
God said in Isaiah, “When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT). He walks with us through our trials.
Maybe you’re in the midst of a fiery trial today. The Lord is with you.
Copyright © 2018 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
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