How Can I Have the Fourth Man with me Through the Fire!

Fire is often a purifying agent.   When we think of someone going through the fire we think of trials and tragedies in life that 'melt us down' until their is nothing left but what is really important.  But there are times when you go through the fire and the fire cannot burn you, it cannot melt you, it cannot harm you!    The three Hebrew children wouldn't bow, wouldn't bend and the King could not make them burn!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace.    They did what was right and entered into persecution and trouble.   Why do bad things happen to good people anyway?    When we do good and fiery trials come our way we must have the resolve to respond in a proper manner.   Some people begin to blame God and accuse him of forsaking them.  It is during these times that some people turn bitter towards God and do not continue to serve  him with their whole heart.   Some people begin to look at themselves and imagine that God is punishing them in some way for their past faults.   They become condemned and certain that God is mad and angry.   Some people blame the people around them and become embittered by their trials and circumstances with anger and malice towards others.  

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego went through the fire, but the flames never touched them, the smoke never even penetrated their clothing.  What was there response to the trial they had to face?

Daniel 3:16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

17If 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 your hand, O king.

18But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

Their attitude was that they were going to serve God if they got a  miracle or not.  They were going to do what was right even if God did not move on their behalf.  They were going to be faithful to God even if God did not come through for them at all.  Wow.  What devotion and faith.   And what happened?  There came a fourth man in the fire, and they were not burned at all!

Maybe you have odds that are against you and you need a miracle today just to survive.  Do you need a miracle in your finances?  In your body?  In your relationships?  For your kids?   Have the attitude of the three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  Determine that you are going to serve God and be faithful to him no matter what!     

Can you praise him even if he does not come through for  you?  Will you serve him even if you have to suffer for doing what is right?  Will you worship him even if nothing ever gets better for  you?  If so, you have the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego!   It is through that kind of consecration to God that one can see the fourth man standing with them in the fire!