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FEET TO THE FIRE. Have you ever faced a situation that seemed to rip you apart inside? Most of us probably have faced at least one such trial in life. In Daniel ch. 3, we come across three young men who faced probably the most titanic of trials they would ever face in their lives. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been promoted to important positions in King Nebuchadnezzar's government. And they no doubt were the best of the best at whatever they did in serving him. Then one day, the king decided to build a 90 ft. tall, gold-overlaid image. He then sent notice for all the government employees in all his kingdom to come to the dedication ceremony. It apparently wasn't until everyone arrived that reality set in. Daniel 3:4-6, says, "a herald cried aloud: 'To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the... music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnez zar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.'" Besides being a dedication of this image, it was also an act of idol worship, and a statement of loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar and his gods. What would you or I have done? The command was simple: Bow or burn. Only the sovereign Creator-God of the universe can give the kind of courage and faith that allowed the three men to stand when all others bowed. They were willing to wear the cultural clothing (3:21), be called by Babylonian names, and serve a pagan king. But their worship was reserved for the true God. They didn't bend. They didn't bow. And, in the end, they didn't burn because when thrown into the 2,000+ degree furnace, a fourth person walked with them and protected them (3:25). There are things in this life that true Christians should be willing to die for even when our feet are put to the fire. No matter the trial, God will walk with us in the furnace!
