Daniel 3: 26 – 27 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” ……….and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

The first three chapters of the Book of Daniel tell us about four young men – Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah who were among the Jews taken as captives to Babylon by the forces of King Nebuchadnezzar. Because they were of royal heritage, they were brought before the king and were to receive special treatment and training. At the same time however, they suffered the indignity of having their names changed to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Their language and diet were to be changed and they were expected to denounce their cultural heritage and their God as well. But these young men drew a line in the sand about their food and their worship and excelled in their new environment for a time because God created favor for them.

Then one day the King had a dream he could not understand and when all his advisors, astrologers and magicians failed to interpret it, he passed a death sentence on all of them. Daniel realized he and his friends could be included.  The four of them called on God and God gave Daniel the interpretation of the dream which he made known to the King. As a result the King acknowledged their God and rewarded them by elevating them to high office. Not for long. Soon the King built himself a huge image of gold and decreed that everyone in his kingdom should bow down and worship it when the signal was given.  Daniel’s three friends defied the order and were soon dragged before the King. But they refused to bow and as punishment they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Miraculously no harm came to them and the King testified that he could see them walking around in the fire and there was a fourth man with them who looked like a son of the gods. (Read Daniel 3:25 in the KJV). The end result – Nebuchadnezzar recognizes them once again as “servants of the Most High God” and learns that God can deliver his children. He breaks out in praise to God. (Daniel 3:29). He even promoted them!

What then is the value of trials in a believer’s life? I will admit that I pondered for a long time the statement:  “They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”  The Holy Spirit eventually came to my rescue:

“When you go through the fire as children of the Most High God, you are supposed to come out unscathed, that is, there is to be no diminishment of your faith. Rather you become a living testimony of the power and grace of your God.”