Faith in The Fire

As a teen, I loved cooking with my grandma and found passion in crafting with my hands. When I was told not to touch the stove or delicacies that just came out of the oven, however, my tempted mind didn’t like to listen. Many “ouch, that hurts” later, I have learned that when we’re near the fire of a flame, it’s our faith that stands the true test of time.

“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18, ESV). 

In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused of not bowing down to King Nebuchadnezzar. In an era of brazen calves and idolatry, these actions are countercultural and directly disobey Nebuchadnezzar’s command “that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not…shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:5-6, ESV). 

At this moment, I smell fire. I feel the profuse overture of warmth too close for comfort. The heat boils as flicks of light eat up the flames. My faith quivers for these men to follow Jesus. 

For us, we know the end of the story. Jesus walked into the fire, and when they walked out, not a smell, or ounce of ashes reflected their luminous skin, yet the heart of God who was with them did.

Perhaps today you’re facing a fire of your own, but be encouraged. Jesus will ask you to walk through difficulties of suffering. Yet, He will never ask you to do so alone. He not only goes into the inferno with us, but He lives within us when we make it out stronger than when we first entered. 

Let faith inspire us to walk through our fires with confidence. Even if He doesn’t deliver us, we will stay dedicated to Him.

Agape, Amber