“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.”

[Daniel 3:25]

 

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego has resonated down the corridors of time. Three men who laid their lives on the line because they refused to dishonor their God. A great king with an equally great measure of arrogance decided to honor himself. Three Hebrew men decided to lay their lives on the line rather than submit to a man, even a king, above their God.

 

The narcissism that drove King Nebuchadnezzar to sentence these men to death would unexpectantly reveal the presence and nature of God and His love for His faithful. God did not halt the proceedings. Our Lord didn’t silence the voice of the accusers. El Shaddai didn’t stop the king from sentencing. The Ancient of Days did not stop the fire. Jehovah Rafah did not keep His loved ones from being tossed into the furnace. No. Yeshua simply showed up in the form of the fourth like the Son of God!

 

I expect most of us have oft been reminded that God doesn’t prevent or stop our adversaries from attacking. Quite the contrary, He welcomes it. He wants to show the world that His Kingdom authority conquers every foe. He is standing by to give us exactly what we need when we need it. Our problem is that we seldom see life from this perspective.

 

How often do we question God’s presence? King Nebuchadnezzar was shown supernatural interpretations of his dreams – but had to be humbled like a beast in the field. The Israelites were accompanied by the pillar of fire and of smoke – but doubted. Yeshua’s disciples fled from the Garden of Gethsemane when the Son of Man was most in need. The Holy Scriptures burst with examples of those who don’t trust God – even in the midst of miracles.

 

But the Firstfruit of heaven is not taken by surprise. Rather, the situation is simply building into an ever-greater display of God’s glory. God is not, nor ever has been, hampered by earthly circumstance. Quite the contrary, He loves to demonstrate His authority over all flesh. Our Lord knows about our frequent disappointment and dismay when life seems to turn against us. But those with faith have different vision. Their perspective on challenges is downright adventurous. 

 

God is indeed strengthening us. He is growing us. Leading us. Guiding us into new realms of understanding His ways, His thoughts, His plans. This is the reality that illuminates the Kingdom of God, a kingdom we fail to embrace because we focus on our pain, instead of His plan.

 

When the fourth man appeared in the midst of the fire, God was glorified. Let’s pray that when our personal challenges overwhelm us, we remember the God whom we serve delights in overcoming the darkest night and the seemingly impossible circumstances. He is with us.