(“When Facing Life’s Blazing Furnaces”)

Daniel 3:1-30 (NASU)

(Daniel 3:17-18)

Heavenly Father, You are the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego – You delivered Your servants from the hand of a proud and angry king, because they refused to worship other gods – You left their jealous enemies speechless by miraculously preserving them in the midst of a furnace of blazing fire, because they put their trust in You. By this great display of Your omnipotent power, You caused a pagan king to bless Your name and publicly declare there is no god like You!

Use Your mighty power this morning to guide our study of this passage of Scripture – give us the same courage You gave Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego – help us to remain faithful, even in the midst of the crises of life, whether You choose to deliver us or not. For we ask this in Jesus’ name – Amen.

(A) BOW OR BURN¹

(1) The “image” stood ninety feet tall, and was overlaid with “gold”. Standing on “the plain(s) of Dura” (c.f. Daniel 3:1) where it could be seen for miles, it looked even taller – especially when the sun reflected off it just right. The construction had taken many months. There were rumors, of course – but no one knew why it was being built, until “the king” ordered all his governing officials to assemble for “the dedication” (c.f. Daniel 3:2-3). Only then did they learn it was a symbol of political loyalty and pagan worship – and that anyone who refused to “fall down and worship the golden image” at the prescribed moment would be declared guilty of treason, and punished by a horrible fiery death (c.f. Daniel 3:5-6).²

(a) For most of Babylon’s governing officials, Nebuchadnezzar’s order to fall down and worship “the golden image (he) had set up” was not a big problem – after all, many pagans are not particular about who or what they worship. Indeed, they are often willing to change gods and/or worship more than one god at a time – especially if their life is on the line (c.f. Daniel 3:7).

(b) However, the king’s order was a problem for three captured exiles, whose Jewish names were “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah”. These men had been chosen for special education and training, and then placed in “the king’s personal service” where they distinguished themselves above their Chaldean counterparts. Hence, the Scripture says: “As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in … his realm” (c.f. Daniel 1:18-20).

(c) This helps explain what happened at the dedication of king’s “golden image” – for, as the biblical account unfolds, it becomes obvious their jealous enemies had been watching them.³ How else do we explain the “charges” brought against them in verses eight through twelve? How else do explain the fact “certain Chaldeans” knew they had not worshipped “the golden image” the king had “set up”, and were quick to tell him about it (c.f. Daniel 3:8-12)?

(2) In this instance, it appears the crisis had come upon Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego suddenly – that there had been little or no warning regarding the political/spiritual purpose of the dedication ceremony – and/or that they didn’t realize worship was involved until “the herald” read the official proclamation, which said: “To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the sound of … all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire” (c.f. Daniel 3:4-6).

(a) I can imagine the sinking feeling these three men must have had in the pit of their stomach as they heard that proclamation being read. What were they going to do? The musicians were getting ready to play – which would be the signal for everyone to affirm their loyalty to the king by falling down and worshipping the golden image he had set up. Those who didn’t would “immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire” (c.f. Daniel 3:6). There was no place to hide – it was too late to discreetly disappear – they couldn’t call time out – nor could they ask for an extension. They had to make a choice, and it had to be made right now!

(b) It’s obvious from this morning’s Scripture lesson that they chose not to worship the golden image, thereby disobeying “the king’s command” (c.f. Daniel 3:28) – choosing, instead, to “put their trust in (God)” and “not … serve or worship” anyone but Him, even if it cost them their lives (c.f. Daniel 3:28).

In this regard, they were following in the footsteps of men like Job, who, in the midst of all his suffering, said: “Though (God) slay me, I will (continue to) hope in Him” (c.f. Job 13:15). At the same time, they were also setting an example for future generations – for people like Peter and John, who, having been warned not to preach about Jesus any longer, and threatened with punishment if they kept on doing so, said: “We must obey God rather than men” (c.f. Acts 5:29).

(c) I have no doubt that as the music played, and people started bowing down to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, God gave Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego the courage to remain standing – that they received a special measure of His grace to help them in their moment of need (c.f. Hebrews 4:16) – that when, with little or no warning, they were suddenly and unexpectedly faced with the choice of bowing and burning,¹ our Lord was there strengthening them so they did not falter. As the Scripture says (and these are passages Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were probably familiar with): “The Lord … will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (c.f. Deuteronomy 31:8) … and again: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters (i.e. the waters of trouble), I will be with you” (c.f. Isaiah 43:1b-2a) … and once more: “We went through fire and … water (both symbols of trouble), yet You (O Lord) brought us out into a place of abundance” (c.f. Psalm 66:12b).

(d) However, I also think there is a sense in which their whole life up to this point had been preparing them for this moment – that they hadn’t waited until the crisis was upon them to think about whether there might ever be a situation where they would bow down to false gods – that (by God’s grace) they made up their minds early on, that should they ever be faced with a fiery-furnace-like situation, they would choose to serve and worship God alone, regardless of the consequences.

We know, for example, that Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were already exercising their spiritual muscles (so to speak) years earlier, when they joined Daniel in choosing not to defile themselves with the kind of food and drink the king’s overseers were giving them during their training and education (c.f. Daniel 1:8-17) – which, in turn, leads us to believe they had made some sound spiritual decisions while they were still teenagers living in Jerusalem, before they were taken as captive exiles to Babylon.

(e) My point is this – if we’re going to make the right choice when we come face to face with life’s blazing furnaces, then by God’s enabling grace we need to make up our mind beforehand what we will do when (not “if”, but “when”) that time comes. That’s one of the applications of passages like Ecclesiastes chapter twelve, which says in part: “Remember … your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’; before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain … Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 12:1-2, 6).

(f) Although its unlikely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego ever thought they would find themselves in the kind of situation described in today’s Scripture lesson, they had already made up their minds to “trust” God (c.f. Daniel 3:28) no matter what the future might bring – they had already decided to serve and worship God alone, whether He chose to deliver them from life’s fiery furnaces or not. That’s why in today’s text they were able to say (in part): “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire … But even if He does not … we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image … you have set up” (c.f. Daniel 3:17-18).

(B) FACING LIFE’S FIERY FURNACES

(1) There’s no doubt in my mind the events described in Daniel chapter three are historical – that they are not a myth, an allegory, or fairy tale, but an accurate record of what really happened – not fiction, but fact – not a fabrication, but the truth.⁴

(2) Having said that, we must also acknowledge the preservation of Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah in the blazing furnace is both miraculous and unique. Their experience gives us a glimpse of just how powerful God really is – or, as the Book of Job says, “Behold, these are the fringes of His ways” (c.f. Job 26:14a). Nevertheless, such an obvious physical demonstration of His power is also rare. Indeed – without being dogmatic, since it’s always possible I’m forgetting something – in the whole of Scripture there’s nothing quite like this particular miracle, where God so thoroughly preserves (c.f. Daniel 3:27) one or more of His people from perishing even though they have been cast into a literal furnace of fire.

(3) Chances are Christ will never call us to face a literal “furnace of blazing fire” (c.f. Daniel 3:15) – but you can be certain He will call us to face figurative ones, with some being “hotter” (as it were) than others. What might our “fiery furnaces” look like?

(a) Some of our “furnaces” may be directly connected to the fact we are a Christian, while others may not. Nevertheless, they will be “fiery” enough to put our faith in Christ to the test. They will generate enough “heat” to force us to decide anew whether we will continue to “trust” in the Lord or not (c.f. Daniel 3:28). The “intensity” will be great enough to make us wrestle with whether we are the kind of Christian who only serves and worships our Savior as long as He “deliver(s) us” – or whether (by God’s grace) we have matured to the place where we will continue to serve and worship Him “even (when) He does not” (c.f. Daniel 3:17-18).

(b) Perhaps our “blazing furnace” involves certain unanswered prayers – earnest, tear-stained prayers for our children’s welfare, and/or their salvation – repeated, passionate prayers for relief and/or victory over some sin that keeps entangling us (c.f. Hebrews 12:1b) – heartrending prayers we’ve literally offered for years, and yet remain unanswered.

We know the verses about “praying and believing” (c.f. Matthew 21:22) – about persisting and not losing heart (c.f. Luke 18:1) – about how, if we will delight in the Lord, and He will give us our desires (c.f. Psalm 37:4). But the fact is, with each passing day these unanswered prayers are becoming a test of faith for us. We feel like David, when he prayed: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, (why are You so far) from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry (to You) in the daytime, but You do not hear; (I cry to You) in the night” (but You do not answer) (c.f. Psalm 22:1-2, NKJV).

This test of faith is forcing us to ask ourselves: will we continue to worship God “even if He” (c.f. Daniel 3:18) never answers these particular prayers?

(c) Perhaps our “fiery furnace” is a deadly illness, a prolonged physical infirmity, or some kind of persistent emotional or psychological problem. Life as we once knew it has drastically changed – in fact, unless the Lord miraculously intervenes, there’s a good chance our life will never be the same again.

The gravity and/or drawn out nature of these physical and/or emotional problems have put our faith to a severe test. We can identify with the words of Jeremiah when he said: “we are worn out, there is no rest for us” (c.f. Lamentations 5:5).

The question is: will we continue to serve our God and Savior, “even if He” (c.f. Daniel 3:18) never gives us any rest and/or relief from our burdens?

(d) Perhaps our “blazing furnace” has to do with the death of someone we loved very much – like a husband or wife – a mother or father – one of our children – or even a close personal friend. Perhaps this person died suddenly and unexpectedly – or maybe they died after a prolonged illness. Perhaps they died at a “tender” age (c.f. Proverbs 3:4), “before their time” (as it were) – or maybe they succumbed to death like David, at a “ripe old age, full of days, riches and honor” (c.f. I Chronicles 29:28a).

The point is, death and/or its after effects have put a severe strain on our faith. Perhaps, in the case of a younger person, we never thought something like this would ever happen to us. Maybe, in the case of a spouse, we always hoped we would die first. In the case of something like a car accident or plane crash, we may have been blindsided by suddenly someone we love can be taken from us.

Regardless of the circumstances, we are devastated – at times the loneliness and/or grief are almost unbearable – there are even moments when we are angry with God for “letting this happen”. The pain David felt as he wept over the death of his son Absalom, saying, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (c.f. II Samuel 18:33b), accurately reflects our pain as well.

The question this test of our faith forces us to ask is: will I continue to serve and worship God, “even if He” (c.f. Daniel 3:18) takes the people I love in death?

(e) No Christian is exempt from life’s “fiery furnaces”. Peter once said: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (c.f. I Peter 4:12).

Some people wonder why Daniel isn’t mentioned in today’s Scripture lesson. Was he away on business when the golden image was dedicated? Were the enemies of Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah afraid to bring similar charges against him? We could speculate all day – but, since the Bible is silent regarding his whereabouts, the safest answer is to simply say, we don’t know why he isn’t mentioned.

We do know, however, that Daniel later faced his own “blazing furnace” when an edict was passed saying no one was to pray to any god or man except King Darius for thirty days – and that anyone caught doing so would be literally thrown to the lion’s (c.f. Daniel 6:1-28).

How did Daniel handle this test of his faith? The Scripture says: “when (he) knew … the document was signed, he entered his house … and … continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (c.f. Daniel 6:10).

In other words, by God’s grace he remained faithful, even though it meant being thrown into the lion’s den. In this regard, then, his attitude was the same as that of his three friends – i.e. he knew God could deliver him, “but even if He (did) not” he wasn’t going to stop worshipping and serving Him alone (c.f. Daniel 3:17-18) – not even for thirty days!

(f) I’ve been going through some “blazing furnaces” of my own lately – although they’re nothing like what we find here in the Book of Daniel – nor are they even comparable to the things some of you have been going through. My life isn’t being threatened, for example – my health is good – I haven’t made the Governor angry. In fact, I’m very grateful there are no literal “fiery furnaces” or “lion’s dens” in my life. But, my faith is being put to the test just the same.

I’m tired of praying about certain matters and not receiving answers – I’m frustrated with working long, unproductive hours – I’m discouraged about preaching and teaching, and otherwise investing in people’s lives, and not seeing changes – I’m deeply disturbed by my own lack of spiritual growth and/or discipline. In fact, several times recently I’ve asked the Lord out loud, “Where’s the evidence of Your power?! Why aren’t I seeing any indication of Your power working in/through me?”

I admit these aren’t earth-shattering matters – and yet enough “heat” has been generated in the form of frustration, anger (and yes, even self-pity) that I’m having to choose anew whether I will remain faithful “even if” the Lord never gives me the things I would like to see.

I’m not looking for your sympathy this morning, or your advice and counsel. I’m simply trying to illustrate from personal experience that no one is exempt – that “fiery furnaces” come in a variety of forms – and that what’s a “piece of cake” for you, may be generating enough “heat” to put someone else’s faith to the test.

(g) The central point of today’s text, then, is NOT that God will always protect His people from the “blazing furnaces” of life. He is certainly “able” to do so, if it pleases Him – and sometimes it does.⁵ Ordinarily, though, He treats us the same way He dealt with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego – i.e. He puts us IN the “fiery furnace” and takes care of us there. That’s the meaning of passages like the one found in the Book of Isaiah, where God says: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior …” (c.f. Isaiah 43:1-3). It’s also the meaning of the verse found in First Corinthians that says: “… God … will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (literally, the “trial or test”)⁶ will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (c.f. I Corinthians 10:13).

(h) The central point of today’s text, then, is NOT that God always protects His people from life’s “fiery furnaces” – it’s that by Christ’s enabling grace, His people choose to serve and worship Him whatever the consequences.⁵ As His redeemed people, we know that, “if it be so, our God … is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire … but even if He does not” (c.f. Daniel 3:17-18), by His grace we will still “put (our) trust in Him” (c.f. Daniel 3:28).

By His grace that’s what I’m going to do – and I encourage you to do so as well.

Vol. I; page 215.

p. 1335.