Day Two: “From fiery furnace to promotion”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three Hebrew young men who had been carried away into Babylonian captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar had made a decree that everyone in the kingdom must bow down and worship the 90 ft. golden image he had set up. The three Hebrew young men refused.
Read the story: Daniel 3:1-30
When these three Hebrews refused to worship the image, King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. In a fit of rage he threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace if they would not obey. The Hebrews replied, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it…But even if He doesn’t we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (vs. 16-18)
In the face of an uncertain future, they understood they had victory either way. The king, carrying out his threat had the furnace heated seven times hotter and threw them into the flames. But to his amazement, he saw not three but four men walking around in the fire unharmed and the fourth was like the Son of God.
The three Hebrew young men had not only experienced victory over the king’s punishment but their victory convinced the king that the Hebrew God was the true God and instead of the Hebrews dying in a fiery furnace, the king promoted them to higher positions in his kingdom. Uncertainty gives way to promotion when we refuse to be controlled by fear trusting God’s love and faithfulness to see us through the uncertainty before us.
Activity:
Instead of the fire affecting them in any way, it burned up the uncertainty they were facing. Sing a song of praise to God acknowledging that all your uncertainties are in His hands and the fire you may be going through will not destroy you but will promote you in victory.