They say pressure makes diamonds—but what about fire?
As I was scrolling through my drafts the other day and I find my notes on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I put my phone down and heaved because, honestly, the blatant display of faith and godly showmanship by these men is one for the books.
Picture it; three young Jewish men standing before King Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful, fearful King, refusing to bow to his shiny golden image, knowing well there is punishment —getting tossed into a fiery furnace. Many of us struggle to hold our grounds in front of our bosses or strict parents but these guys? They defied royal command in the name of God. They looked death in the face and said, “Bring it on!”
Here is the wild part: they did not just believe God could save them. They declared that EVEN IF He did not, they would still not bow. This was not “God, save us or we are out.” This was “God, we stand for You, come rain or hailstorm.”
I have seen many people in history whose faith brought miraculous deliverance to them. Then others who stood firm but still lost their lives, properties or dear ones. I am looking at my own faith and thought of all the times I sulked and complained and got upset because things did not go my way. We love deliverance, oh yes, we do, but what if God’s will is for us to go through the fire? Can we still say, “Lord, I trust You and will still stand for You even if I have to suffer for it”?
In Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s case, God did deliver them. They got thrown in the furnace, but the Bible says not a hair on their heads got singed. The bonus part is, there was a fourth figure with them in the fire. God put on a striking display – the primordial Fire Bender.
To me, what happened before the flames, their faith being solid before they knew the outcome, they having already made their choice and saying, “God, we choose You, whether You save us from the fire, walk with us through it or allow us to be burnt toast,” is a really big deal. That’s the kind of faith I want to build. The kind that doesn’t waver when “common sense” suggests compromise.
Sometimes, God rescues us instantly. Other times, He lets us walk through the heat. But in all of it, His presence never leaves, and He always, always has a plan.
Reflection:
The furnace moments will come. Maybe, (hopefully) not with literal flames, but with heat that feels just as real: pressure at work, betrayal, illness, financial strain, heartbreak, grief, etc. In that moment, will you bow to fear, comfort, or compromise? Or will you stand, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, knowing that even if God doesn’t deliver in the way you expect, He is still worthy of your faith?
Today, ask yourself:
If the fire were turned up seven times hotter, would I still choose God?
Written by Jane Quist
TAC-GH, McCarthy Hill District
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