furnaces

As a child I heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The first time was in a small classroom in the humble church I grew up in. I was no older than seven. My teacher probably had cute cut-out story books to help illustrate the tale in pictures so that young minds could grasp the gist of the plotline.

There is an issue though. The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is not cute. It is horrifying. Sometimes I think we tend to sugarcoat scripture so that it is easier on the ears. Today, I reread the same "happy" story that my Sunday School teacher read to me ten years ago and it scared me to death. 

The Danger.
King Nebuchadnezzar had recently appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over Babylon thanks to their buddy Daniel finding favor in the king's eyes. The king set up an idol made of gold and his messenger commanded, "As soon as you hear the sound of the horn....you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Neb has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown in to a blazing furnace."

A blazing furnace. Many things today stand between us and God, threatening our temporary condition--our earthly comfort. They call for our devotion, our woship, our lives. We are told over and over again that if we fail to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into these things, we will be miserable and our lives will be useless. If I do not earn a certain salary, I will never be happy. If I do not find a spouse, my life will be a lonely, pathetic existence.

Our Response.
So what do Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego do when faced with such a danger? When they can either save their lives or profane their Creator's Name? They boldly refuse to cave to the demands of false gods. When confronted by the king about their disobedience, they repond, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have nothing short of complete confidence in their God. Where does our confidence lie? Where is our hope? Is it in earthly circumstances? Present comforts? What the world tells us is safe?

The Ensuing Act.
"He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace."

Confidence in God led Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to step into the furnace without fear, risking everything for their King's reputation, and refusing at all costs to bow down to another. We have the opportunity to bow down to creation every day. Material things, lustful passions, and selfish ambitions flood our minds and direct our actions. Following Christ means we must take bold steps in a direction opposite that of which society deems successful, acceptable or respectable.

The Father Glorified.
"They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

When we trust God with our lives, He always does something beautiful. However, the flames are scary, and the risk is huge. In fact, the furnace places the physical life as we know it is in jeopardy. The furnace takes advantage of our limited human sight that struggles to see past temporary circumstances.

How will we respond? We have to stare into our furnaces, and with the whole world watching, step boldly into them.

"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'" -Luke 9:23

Today, this verse translates in my mind: If you want to follow me, you are going to have to step into the flames.