It’s hard for me to think of God’s fire and not think of the story of the three young men recorded in Daniel chapter 3.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were three young men who demonstrated incredible faith and courage. The king of the time had passed a law that required everyone to bow down to a 100 foot gold statue of himself – no ego issues there. But these three men refused to do it. 

They were confronted by the king, demanding either their obedience or their death by being thrown in to a fiery furnace. They chose to respond with respect. They declared, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” [D 3:16–18 NLT]

In a rage, the king demanded the furnace be heated seven times hotter than normal. He then commanded his guards to throw them in. The heat was so great that those same guards died instantly. And now for the miracle… The king looked into the furnace and saw not three, but four men walking around. And the fourth, the king said, is like a son of God. The king excitedly called the three out of the furnace.

Now here is the really cool part for me. The fire that was intended to end their lives had only burned away the ropes they were tied up with. Not even their hair had been singed.

When we walk in faith and courage, God sends a fire. I believe He will use this fire to burn away the things of the world that we have allowed to entangle us and those things the world has imposed on us.

“Father, remove from me the things from the world that have hindered my life and service for you. Let me be like the three brave young men told about in Daniel 3.”

For our King,
Steve