Day Of Decision, Fiery Furnace (PT-2)

Daniel 3:20 

 "And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army 

to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to 

cast them into the burning fiery furnace."

    Now all was set for the dedication day. All the people had gathered and the music sounded. At this time all was to fall and worship the statue. Well our three Hebrew friends stood tall during the "invitation," and therefore got reported to the King. The three young men were taken to Nebuchadnezzar, and offered a final chance to bow down. All three refused saying;  "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, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Dan. 3:17-18).  

    So the King commands that the furnace is to be heated seven times more than what it usually was. I'm sure the three young men were no doubt aware of the many excuses available to them for bowing down at this private meeting. For example: "Why not join in, we can't fight the system! Maybe if we cooperate with old Neb we can win him to Christ! He who runs away, lives to fight another day!" 

But they stood tall and did not bow before The King or his statue of gold.

    My friends that day in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are somewhat like our daily lives and a great lesson for us all. Sin is our shackle and we are bound to sin with one way to be free. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).  

    Let's compare the unbeliever that has turned Christ away, or just don't believe that there is a God, with the three young Hebrew men. "They went in the fiery furnace bound because they stood up for God, knowing in their heart that they would be burnt alive or delivered from the fire. To them there was no compromise." Now the unbeliever goes through each day facing a fire hotter than that fiery furnace because he don't believe in Jesus Christ and is still shackled by sin that we all were born in. In Both example there is a choice. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose God, but forced in to the fire and delivered by Jesus Christ. 

    The unbeliever faces death and hell fire every day, his shackles are already on him and he would be cast in hell's fire the day of his death. No one is there to deliver him from the pits of hell, However he will meet Satan and his demons and spent eternity in hell with them. Now, I ask you, out of the two examples here, which one will you fall into? 

Amen!

Reading: (Dan. 3:!0-21)

Ref: (HG SB)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

               The Cross Life Ministry