Scripture — Daniel 3:24-27 (NKJV)

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

Devotion

Today we continue from yesterday’s penultimate scene, where King Nebuchadnezzar now sees four men in the furnace when he remembers putting only three in the fire. Where did this fourth individual come from? How was this person able to also withstand the heat and intensity of the seven times hotter flames? How could they be worshipping in that type of heat?

This section of the story encourages us when we are put through trying circumstances. God is still able to receive the glory, He’s able to allow us to feel His presence—and the ungodly would also be able to see God’s power and His glory. Similar to King Nebuchadnezzar they would be astonished with the mighty move of power from God in our lives, making this our testimony to them.

King Nebuchadnezzar was not the only one who could see this miracle but God allowed the opened eyes of all the King’s officials to witness Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego‘s deliverance from the fiery furnace. The turn of events is quite fascinating as King Nebuchadnezzar is now praising the God he earlier criticized and challenged. He’s come to realize he is no match for God; the awe has captured his soul, and now he has a heart change.

It is interesting to note how King Nebuchadnezzar was able to see the fourth person and declare it looked like the Son of God! Earlier in the chapter he had no authentic faith in Almighty God. It is quite amazing that Jesus is present in this specific story, which takes us to the scripture of John 1:1-2 which shows Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together from the very beginning in every part of God’s Word—Old Testament and New Testament. Jesus makes this extraordinary appearance in the furnace with the Hebrew men, showing us Jesus is with us in every fiery trial in our lives as well.

Now in confession, the King calls the three Hebrew men “servants of the Most High God”, while promoting them in rank in the province. We may or may not receive a physical promotion such as a job, but we can rest assured God will lift us up, and that others will come to know Him in a personal way when we stay faithful to God during extremely challenging times when our faith is tested.

King Nebuchadnezzar has realized the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego is truly a deliverer. Similarly, from the scriptures our hearts are warmed and encouraged and we can shout in adoration: our God is a protector and deliverer. The proof is the fire had no power, not a hair on their heads was singed, their garments were perfect, and no smoke smells either—what a wondrous work by our God, He truly is a miracle-working God!

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project’s online commentary. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Sufferings, Yet Rewards, for Faithful Witnesses to God in the Meantime (Daniel 3).

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