The book of Daniel: a forgotten story amongst the prophecies.
- Jane Isley
- May 11
- 4 min read
Contemplating the 3 men thrown into the blazing furnace and how it applies to us now.
Lately, I've been thinking about three people: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, or better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel.
As spring planting is approaching, I have been outside a lot, and even though my body is busy, my mind is still, and I use that time to talk to God and think on His word. Recently, it has been this story on my mind almost constantly.
The more I reflect on their story, the more I see how it applies to today's world. This isn’t a story meant to stay in the distant past, but should be brought forward to the here and now.
Christians are battling the threat of blazing furnaces every day.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have bowed down and worshipped that golden statue and saved themselves that day, but they didn’t. They chose God because they were faithful, steadfast and didn’t give a crap what others were doing around them.
One thing I absolutely love about the Bible is that one story can have multiple meanings just waiting to be extracted when one takes the time to think on and contemplate a story, verse, or a person in the Bible. That’s when we begin to see more of how it applies to us, in the here and right now.
I guess I’ll have to do this in a bit of a bullet-ish point situation, or I’ll be all over the place.
“Blazing furnace” — “lake of fire”
I love me some good symbolism. I never put two and two together before until contemplating their story. Their bodies weren’t on the line, their salvation was on the line. Yet they refused to bow down to anyone but God, even with their lives threatened. Losing their salvation, their place in Heaven, was not worth any temporary threat they received in this world.
Jesus showed Himself.
Because they were faithful and trusting, Jesus was there. But He didn’t march in on a sparkly white steed, or with an imposing army. Nope, He was just there, standing beside them, quiet, just letting His glorious presence be seen.
How often do we forget Jesus will do this?
Or better, how often do we not recognize when He’s doing this?
God will show Himself to those around us through our actions. I call it “shine,” meaning — I stand out because I am faithful. His presence just sorta of oozes out of me, and people see this, whether they realize what they are seeing or not, they just know something is different.
It’s also why you may rub people the wrong way. They feel the Holy Spirit, and that makes them uncomfortable and sometimes angry. When bumping up against God, people get uncomfortable because they are feeling their sin. They are feeling what is right, but internally they are fighting it with everything they have to continue with the life they are leading. Just look at how Nebuchadnezzar reacted: “Furious with rage”
There were three of them. Community.
Now, yes, we don’t always have people around us 24/7, but this is an example of support and why it is important to be in a community of friendship with other believers. We are made to connect not just with God but with others, we need this; this is a part of our being. Yes, we absolutely can stand on our own with God, but we also need to be a part of a group. This is emphasized in the Bible for a reason.
Powerful, trusting, and faithful words.
It took me a lot of storms, practicing faith, and intentionally remembering all the fires God either put out for me or stood next to me during to get to this point in my life where I can say, “But even if he does not.”
I have surrendered my wishes to God’s will, no matter where it takes me or the result. Because death is not the end, it is just the beginning, and if I can make a difference in even just one life by standing my ground on His foundation for others to see, then it is worth any temporary pain.
Every day is the threat of a blazing furnace to us, even more so than ever before.
Around every corner — in every phone, across seas of pews, workplaces, every reel, every political agenda, friendships, and family dynamics.
For every comprise you make, for every time the Bible is altered a wee bit to make it sweeter, for every time you don’t stand your ground out of fear or laziness, you edge yourself closer to throwing yourself in that furnace.
We are not here to compromise our faith, even a little, to make others happy. We are here to stand our ground in His foundation and spread His word.
Our salvation is on the line every time we edge closer to that furnace.
When you take your stand and hold true to His teachings and laws, remember He is right there with you during any flames someone may throw at you.
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