Delivered Through the Fire

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold and gathered all the rulers of the provinces to its dedication. A herald cried aloud that when all kinds of music sounded, all must fall down and worship the golden image. Whoever doesn't fall down and worship shall be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace the same hour.

Certain Chaldeans reported that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not worship the image. The king asked, Who is that god who will deliver you out of my hands? Their answer is one of the boldest in Scripture: If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up. Their faith did not depend on the outcome.

The furnace was heated seven times more than usual, and the flame of the fire killed those men who took them up. Yet the king was astonished. He said, Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods. The fire had no power on their bodies. The king then said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. In the New Testament, Hebrews remembers those who through faith quenched the power of fire (Hebrews 11:34).