PRAISE GOD THROUGH THE FIRES

“…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 3:25b

As we continue to ‘Declare His Praise,’ let’s learn to PRAISE GOD THROUGH THE FIRES: “…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” (Dan.3:25). Those were the words of the startled King Nebuchadnezzar as He watched the mystery of men who were praising God in the Fire. God declared in Isaiah 43:2b: “…When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

The Hebrew word for “fire” in Isaiah 43: 1-2 is esh, which could be a literal or figurative fire. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines fire figuratively, as “an intense verbal attack or criticism, a rapidly delivered series, under attack.” One who encounters such a fire has no choice but to walk through it. The “walking” is yalak, meaning “walk, though weak.” Attacks weaken and drain us. But when we acknowledge our weakness to the Father, we provide Him with a wonderful and powerful opportunity to show up strong on our behalf as He did for Paul (2Cor.12:9-10). Because our Father is with us, we can Praise Him even in the flames! God has assured that the fires of trials shall not penetrate, blister, scorch, consume or ‘eat’ us.

Beloved, have you been on the receiving end of unwarranted and unfair verbal attacks? Have you been falsely accused, with horrible things said about you? You can either let these allegations or circumstances eat you alive, or you can trust God to be your defence. He’ll not allow the vile words to penetrate, blister your soul or affect you adversely. Whether they are hurtful tongues or adverse circumstances brought up by the world or the enemy, they need not eat you up. God covers us with His protection in such fiery attacks, so that we will not be burned or scorched. Let’s look up to the God of our faith to direct us to walk by the unseen – His Truth, not by what we see with our natural eyes or feel with the senses (2Cor.5:7).

Three young men were thrown into fiery furnace by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar; it was made seven times hotter just to ensure they are consumed without trace. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chose to trust in God completely to deliver them (Dan.3:16-30). Not only were they alive and well in the fire, but the king and guards “saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them” (Dan.3:27b). There was no trace, smell or a single scintilla of residue that they had ever been in a fire!

The king and his guards were astonished because, even though they threw three men into the fiery furnace, they saw “four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire…and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Dan.3:25). The Fourth One was none other than Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords who promises that He is with us always (Mt. 28:20). Rather than being consumed, these heroes of faith emerged refined and elevated (Dan.3:30)! You can either allow the fire to consume you, or you can consume the fiery trial, by calling down God’s Fire from heaven, as Elijah did, to consume that which tries to consume you (2Kgs.1:10). When you allow God to be God, then He will bring you through without a scratch or one hair taken out of place.

Declare with me: “Father-God, I thank and praise You for being with me and not allowing the enemy’s fires to consume or harm me. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking me (Heb.13:5). Help me to arise with faith like Elijah, to call Your fire down from Heaven, and witness Your Glory consume every situation and circumstance that threatens to overwhelm and consume me.”