“Stop, Drop, and Roll!” The reason we learn this mantra is so we know how to respond to a fire. Imagine if there was no direction and everyone reacted to the emergency however they saw fit. It would be pure chaos. While we may not experience lapping flames in real life, we will likely go through afflictions, tests, and trials akin to being thrown in a fire. Thus, if we prepare ahead of time, we can respond when a “fire” comes and avoid the inevitable chaos of reacting in the moment.
In the Book of Daniel, God tests Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by seeing if they will remain faithful to him in life-threatening circumstances. When King Nebuchadnezzar demands their worship, the men have to choose between disobeying God or being cast into a scorching fire. The men are faithful and choose the latter. Against all odds they survive offering readers valuable insight about what we can do to overcome fires in our own lives.
Prayerfully, the 4 R’s will help you to survive and overcome the fiery furnace. Read on to discover how you can respond when God puts your feet to the fire.
1. Resolve to Obey God
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were righteous men. As a result, there is no reason for readers to believe their circumstances are God’s judgment. Similarly, you can assume that some of your difficult circumstances are unavoidable and God testing your character.
Whatever the case, you must decide ahead of time to obey God. King Nebuchadnezzar asks the men several times what they will do. Despite the pressure, the men respond the same way each time. They are determined to obey the Lord no matter the outcome.
” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘ O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so [ being thrown ino the furnance], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” Daniel 3:16-18 ESV
Their resolve to please God is what positions them for His deliverance. Notice Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are not mulling it over in their heads deciding what will serve them best. They’ve decided before this moment to always obey the Lord.
If you leave it to chance, I can guarantee your flesh will take over and you will make a regrettable decision. Make doing whatever God has asked of you a priority. Then, trust that if God has asked you to do something He will make a way for you to accomplish it.
2. Rely on His Presence
My favorite part of this account is when Nebuchadnezzar exclaims that there is a fourth man in the fire! He threw in three men, yet there are four. Of course, we’ve determined the fourth man is Jesus.
Jesus appearing amid Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s affliction is a beautiful picture of what we can expect when we face difficult circumstances. Jesus has promised to always be near the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:17). Therefore, you can cling to the truth that while you may encounter painful and uncomfortable situations, Jesus is with you, walking alongside you in it.
” …But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” Daniel 3:25 ESV
When the King is on your side, you are in some ways untouchable. One of the scariest parts about going through a difficult circumstance is not knowing whether or not you will survive it. Yet, Jesus being with you can eliminate this fear once and for all. If He is there, you are safe! It is possible to fight from a place of peace and security if you embrace the truth that He is with you.
3. Remain Where He Has You
Next, I noticed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not leave the fire until asked to.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnance; he declared, ‘ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here! Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.” Daniel 3:26 ESV, emphasis added
Fires burn, and difficult circumstances stink, so naturally, we want to exit as soon as possible. However, the men withstood the discomfort and did not leave the furnace early. What might God be speaking to readers through this detail?
I believe through Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego’s actions, God encourages readers to be brave and endure difficult circumstances. We must understand that leaving the trial before its time is equally as costly as enduring it.
God uses fires to purify us like metalworkers use heat to refine precious metals. For example, gold must be heated at approximately 2,150 degrees F for 10-15 minutes to extract impurities. What would happen if the gold is removed from the furnace early? It would still be impure.
Similarly, God has a plan and process for our trials. We must do things His way to reap the benefits. I urge you to endure and wait on the Lord for His perfect timing to exit your trial; your patience will be worth it!
4. Reflect on His Greater Purpose
The Lord can easily use a single circumstance to minister to several people. Not only is God testing Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faithfulness, but He is also increasing King Nebuchadnezzar’s and his people’s faith.
“And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of the men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them” Daniel 3:27
When King Nebuchadnezzar and his people witness the miracle of the men surviving a blazing fire, it causes them to question what is going on. How could the men survive and what God is responsible for rescuing them?
This is now a perfect setup for Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego to proclaim the power, greatness, and glory of the Lord their God. Given the circumstances, King Nebuchadnezzar will now understand why the men were unrelenting in being faithful to their God.
Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”
Daniel 3:28
The point is sometimes we go through certain things for other people. God uses our trials to bless someone else or to prepare us to minister to someone in the future ( 2 Corinthians 1:4).
Is it possible your fire could ignite someone’s faith? Trust me the world is watching how we, especially as Christians, respond to difficult circumstances.
The Lord has His purposes for putting our feet to the fire. However, rest assured while it may be uncomfortable you are more than capable of overcoming through Christ who loves you.
Until next time,
