Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can[f] rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18 CSB
God can rescue us, but even if He does not . . .
This, friend, is the power of peace.
We don’t keep our hearts from being troubled because God promises that bad things will never happen. Jesus Himself acknowledges that is this world we will have trouble. (John 16:33). But His peace goes before us and is with us; He has overcome the world! So no matter what happens here on earth, today or tomorrow or next year, our future is sealed! Does the degree of peace in your life show that you believe it?
So what happens after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s bold refusal to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s statue? In a nutshell, Nebuchadnezzar gets really, really mad. He commands the three men be tied up and the furnace be turned up seven times hotter than normal. It was so hot, in fact, that the soldiers who carry the prisoners to the edge of the furnace are themselves consumed by the flames and die! Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fall into the blazing fire.
And God meets them there.
When the king looks down into the furnace, he sees the three men walking around, unharmed, accompanied by a fourth person whom Nebuchadnezzar describes as “a son of the gods.” At this, the king commands Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out of the furnace. When they do, not a single hair on their heads is singed and not even a thread of their clothes smells like smoke.
And the king, who at first threatened to execute anyone who wouldn’t worship him, turns in worship to the only one who deserves it:
Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
Daniel 3:28 CSB
Like a flame leaping in the air, those words sear my heart: his servants who trusted in him.
Whatever is happening in your life today, you can have peace knowing God is in control. Your life is not dictated by an economic recession or a wicked king. God’s goodness cannot be thwarted by a hurricane or hurt feelings. Your life isn’t at the mercy of a layoff or leukemia or a loved one who chooses to stop loving you. Only Jesus can be your never-changing peace.
That’s His promise to you.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
God, thank You for promising to always be with me no matter what fire or storm I face. I trust You. Continue to teach me how to choose Your peace over my own fear. This week help me cling to Your promises instead of my own anxieties. You are powerful and good. I believe that — even when I still have to endure hard things. Thank You that I don’t bear them alone. Amen.
From Create in Me a Heart of Peace Bible Study by Becky Keife
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