The Pressure of Being in the Fire
Daniel 3
 Daniel 3 is not about Daniel but tells the story of the three men in the fiery furnace: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The king set up a huge golden statue and commanded everyone to bow down and worship it.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey the king’s command.  The king had set these young men over affairs in Babylon and must have been fond of them because he offered them a second chance to obey his command.

Again Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused.  Daniel 3:16-18: 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

 The king was enraged and had the fiery furnace heated seven times hotter and commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be cast into the furnace. The example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shows us how we should handle the pressure of being in the fire. 

Put things in the right order! God is bigger than any pressure we face. We need the right perspective, elevate God, and not the issue.  There is a spiritual warfare going on. Ephesians 6:12-14: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…
Seek help from other believers! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood together in their faith. There is strength in togetherness in faith.  It is to be “we” as there should be no isolation from other believers.  One of Satan’s schemes is to isolate believers for he knows strength comes with unity in the faith. God gives strength and many times it is through other believers. Philippians 4:13-14:  13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Focus on the character of God! Daniel 3:16-28: 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”                                                                             

God uses the pressure of being in the fire to sharpen and strengthen us.  We can be confident, as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were, that God is able…God’s will is good.