Tried
Dan 3:22 Because the king was in such a hurry and the furnace was so hot, flames from the furnace killed the men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it, :23 while the fire raged around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Without really any time to get ready for it the fire was on, with a deadly heat that would be impassable by any human being. Though there would be an obvious demonstration of their God’s power to deliver them from this terrible blaze, in reality there had been many previous ‘fires’ through which their God had brought them in preparation for this amazing experience. Because they had found their God to be faithful in a daily worship encounter, their honor of Him was something that could not be effectively challenged by even the greatest of threats.
Though they could have easily been caught up in the excitement of the moment and the pressure of the crowds and the kingly decree, they had learned that in all things and at all times honor of their God would never fail to bring them through. It might have seemed like a little thing to the normal Babylonian to just give respect to Nebuchadnezzar and drop to a knee, but because they had learned to honor God through an uncompromising relationship, they would rather accept a horrible death over the greater eternal pain of dishonoring their loving God.
Given the magnitude of the young Hebrews’ loyalty, it is sobering to consider how easily relationship with our Father is often sacrificed for the smallest of worldly alternatives. There is also, however, encouragement that in a developed lifestyle of honor, we will be prepared daily for the most incredible demonstrations of God’s power in our lives. Tried, we’ll also choose right and be delivered again.
