Under Fire

Silence settled over the Plain of Dura. The wind ruffled the robes and hair of the prostrate worshipers, replacing the sounds of the cymbals, drums, flutes and trumpets. Dust devils circled lazily among the worshipers, lending to the scene an eerie quality that stirred the people not to worship but astonishment and fear, instead.  Three lone figures stood before the gold statue which looked surprisingly like King Nebuchadnezzar. Their faces bore the look that comes only from determined-faith and inner peace that, despite the circumstances, all was well. I’m sure the three men had prayed for this moment not to come and yet when it finally arrived, they placed their lives completely in the Father’s hands. In a matter of minutes they were brought before the king and condemned to death.

Facing death and caught standing at the vortex of spiritual battle lines they neither created nor chose, their faith, never wavered. There were no furtive glances of doubt. No second guessing their decision to stand for what was right. No backing down. No acquiescence when confronted by Nebuchadnezzar and when he ordered they be burned to death, their faith burned brighter than any flame. Their response to Nebuchadnezzar’s interrogation can be found in Daniel, chapter three.

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King. And even if he does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up (Daniel 3:16-18, NIV).”

Daniel tells us that Nebuchadnezzar lost it. Going ballistic, he ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter and that the three young men be tied and tossed into the flames by his most elite soldiers. But when they came near the furnace the soldiers died instantly from the heat and the three young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fell into the fire. Moments later, Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet. I imagine his heart starting to pulse so rapidly that he could hear it pounding even above the crackling sounds of the fire. Staring into the furnace, shocked beyond his wildest dreams, it must have taken a moment or two before he found his voice and asked, “Guys, we only threw three men in the fire, right?”

His advisors (Probably after counting off on their fingers and thinking to themselves, "Um, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego… Yup, that’s three.") responded in the affirmative.

“He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods (Daniel 3:23, NIV).”

Nebuchadnezzar was right. There was a fourth walking around with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. But it wasn’t a son of the gods – it was the Son of God.

Under fire, when all they could do was stand, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego found themselves standing next to the Christ. It is the same way for us. When we find ourselves under fire and we barely have the strength to stand, look for Jesus. He does not leave us to stand alone. His love for us compels Him to join us.   He’s in the small of life and in the large of life. He is the whisper of grace. He is the shout of love. He’s in the soft embrace, the quiet of night and the sun burning bright. He is the energy and faith that gives us all we need to stand through times under fire.

Isaiah 43:1, 2 and 5 states, “Fear not, 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 when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire; you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze… Do not be afraid, for I am with you (NIV).”