THE MIRACULOUS OF HEAVEN: Faith Postures of Faith for Your Fiery Furnace
Daniel 3:24-25 (ESV)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
Today, I will be taking my story out of the book of Daniel. We will be looking at the specific posture of faith these men took that positioned them for God’s intervention.
Summarizing the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego:
Jerusalem was taken captive by Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to educate their best youth in the literature and language of the Chaldeans (highly educated class of men who serve the king)
Three of the youths we know as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; who were later appointed over affairs of the province
King Nebuchadnezzar decided to make a statue of gold for all in Babylon to worship
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to obey the king’s command
The Chaldeans maliciously accused the Jews of being insubordanate to the king’s order
The king was furious at this and threatened them
Nebuchadnezzar had the three Hebrews thrown into the fiery furnace
He looked and saw four men walking around, unharmed
Nebuchadnezzar declared the God of Shadrrach, Meshach and Abednego delivered his servants who trusted in Him
3 Faith Postures In My “Fiery Furnace” Experience
1. Faith Obeys God Even Under Pressure
Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image, even though disobedience meant death in the fiery furnace.
Key truth: Biblical faith chooses obedience to God over cultural pressure, fear, or consequences.
Acts 5:29 (ESV)
“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Cliche -”WWJD?” - But I find myself asking that often.
2. Faith Trusts God’s Power—But Submits to His Will
Daniel 3:17-18
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… but if not, we will not serve your gods”
Key truth: Faith believes God can act but also trusts Him even if He doesn’t act the way we hope.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Matthew 26:39 (ESV)
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
3. Faith Experiences God’s Presence in the Fire
Daniel 3:24-25
God didn’t keep them out of the fire—He met them in it. A fourth figure appeared with them, and they were unharmed.
Key truth:
Faith does not promise the absence of trials, but the presence of God in them.
Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Psalm 66:10–12 (ESV)
“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.11 You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; 12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”
Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
“And behold, I am with you always…”
Hebrews 11:11-12 (ESV)
11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.