Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were cast into the fiery furnace by king Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to worship false idols. When the king gave them a chance to bow down and worship here was their reply: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand O King. But if not, be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not serve thy Gods." (Daniel Ch. 3 vs. 17-18) These three showed tremendous faith. They knew God could deliver them but I think the true key to their faith is in the statement - But if not. They were willing to give their lives and still believe in God even if He did not deliver them. Heavenly Father had the power to deliver them from ever having to enter the fiery furnace. However, He allowed them to be thrown in. When they came out it says in verse 27 that "Fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither their coats changed nor the smell of fire had passed on them." They were allowed to face this trial and I imagine that after this experience their faith and convictions were much stronger. Not only were they stronger but they were completely whole without even the smell of smoke on them. Sometimes we are allowed to face our own fiery furnace of afflictions. Heavenly Father allows us to face these so we can come out stronger and more pure. The atonement has the power to heal us and make us whole from whatever trial we face. Faith is the key to finding your power and strength in the midst of afflictions so you can emerge from your trials stronger and with more purity. Are you willing to say - But if not?
Additionally, in Daniel chapter 3 verse 21 and 23 it says "They were bound in their coats and hats and other garments and were cast into the fiery furnace. They fell down bound in the midst of the fire." Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were bound and unable to save themselves. In verse 24 if says "the King saw four men loose, one being like the Son of God." Christ came to them and unbound them so they could be saved from the fire. Although it may seem at times that there is no way out of your furnace, Christ can unbind your chains and help you emerge in purity. These three entered the fire bound by men. Many times we enter our fires bound by the world, sin, temptation, pride, etc. What is binding you down? If we are bound by sin we cannot get out unless we turn to the Lord in faith and ask for help and forgiveness. Sometimes fiery trials turn up the heat to get us moving in the right direction. When we are loosed from our sins we are free to emerge from our trials more pure and we will be free. Remember the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and when you are tempted to be angry over your trials try to have the faith to endure and see how you can emerge from your furnace without even the "smell of fire passsed on (you)."
