Last time we took an adventure with Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah). These three men stood strong with each other through an exile from Judah to Babylon. They refused to eat what they knew was to be wrong for them. They rose to power among the Babylonians and served in the king’s court. And, they ultimately refused to bow to a statute the king had made of himself. We stood with them as they were standing before the king, the one person who seemed to hold their futures in his hand, and we said, “Even if” with them.
Now, with an enraged king, the three men are bound by some of the strongest men in the king’s army. The king demands the fire in the blazing furnace, one that would typically be used to smelt metals or bake bricks, to be heated seven times the normal amount. We walk with them to the furnace. As we have our hands bound by life’s circumstances, it can feel as though we are walking into a hot, smelting fire! The kids need to be taken to school, church, or sporting events and you have no time left in your schedule. You go to the doctor and find out the news is not good; it was a bad report and life will surely change. An overwhelming circumstance in your life can make you feel as though your hands are bound.
There is no rope or any type of bondage that humans can put on your hands or your life that God cannot unbind!
The three men entered into the furnace. The guards put in charge of getting them there died from the heat exposure. When the king looked inside the furnace he saw not three men, but four men walking around with their hands unbound. The men (guards) not relying upon God couldn’t take the heat and they died. The men relying upon God and His faithfulness met Him in the blazing furnace: the place they thought they surely would die.
When life throws us a curveball and we feel the heat of the fire coming upon us, don’t forget that God will meet you where you are. He can loosen any bondage that has been put upon your life: whether by others or by you. God desires for you to walk freely with Him through the hard times in life. We can only walk this freely when we have the attitude that God knows best; even if He doesn’t save you like you thought He would. Follow God and He will lead you into places you never imagined. Allow your life to be used for His glory…even if you’re headed to a blazing furnace!
© 2017 Susan M. Sims
Picture courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/gnepphoto
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I am behind in reading your blogs. As I sat and read this post this morning, my heart was touched, in a special way. I personally know some of the fiery furnaces you have been through and still are. You have your own health issues, walked with David through his severe food allergies, and stood faithfully with Brian, during his cancer journey. God bless you, for being an example to the world, in remaining strong in the Lord. Proud and blessed to be your mother-in-law! Keep up the inspiring blogs!