He answered, “But I see four men, untied and walking around in the midst of the fire! No harm has come to them! And the appearance of the fourth is like that of a god!”
Daniel 3:25 NET
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had refused Nebuchadnezzar’s command to bow down and worship the golden statue the king had made. As a result, the three were bound and thrown into a blazing furnace.
But, to the king’s amazement, the three men got up and started walking around. And they were not alone. A fourth person joined them—one who appeared like a god. The king called them to come out of the furnace, and the three men walked out, unbound and unsinged.
Who was this fourth person walking in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? It might have been an angel God sent to protect them. But more likely, it was God himself, walking with them in the fire, the dark valley of the 23rd Psalm.
Refuse to Compromise
Few of us will likely be faced with a fiery furnace. But all of us are faced with a choice. Will we follow the Lord regardless of the consequences? Or will we compromise with our world and worship their gods?
When we refuse to compromise, the road we travel down can be challenging. But we do not travel it alone. Our Lord walks with us even in the darkest valley or hottest furnace.
There is no promise that we will walk out of the furnace unsinged. We may be badly burned and may not even survive the fire. But regardless of what comes our way, we can rest assured that our Lord will not abandon those who faithfully follow him (1 Kings 6:12-13, 2 Cor. 4:7-9). And the home he has prepared for us is greater by far than anything this world can offer (Heb. 11:13-16).
So, join with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in refusing to worship the gods of this age. And trust that, regardless of what may come your way, you will not go through it alone.
