Daniel 3:23-25 (NKJV)
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
In this story from Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are facing a terrible consequence for not bowing down to the king’s idol. They have been thrown into a fiery furnace to be burned alive for their crime. King Nebuchadnezzar’s plan was to destroy those who did not follow his command. But God had a different plan. This time, God decided to enter the furnace with them.
God’s plan can be anything. He can decide to prevent the issue entirely or carry you through it. King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished! The only thing the fiery furnace did was burn off the cords that bound the three men. But the best part of the story is the fourth “man” walking in the midst of the fire. The Son of God was in the fire with them. Your Lord will never leave nor forsake you. You matter that much to Him! The Son of God loves you and will do anything for you. He would enter the fiery furnace for you and with you and bring you out the other side. Even though you go through the valley of the shadow of death there is nothing to fear. He is with you. Whether it is around or through the trial, I am still going where He leads! How about you?
Lord, thank You that You are always with us in the trials and the joys. If it be Your will, bring us more joys that trials but Your will be done. Refine us to be who You want us to be that we may bring glory to Your Holy Name. Amen!