Timeless Bible Stories: Three Men and the Fiery Furnace
THREE MEN AND THE FIERY FURNACE
More than fire: Navigating change as a God follower
Change #1) Enduring through pain only to be called everything but what your mama named you.
The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. (Daniel 1:7 NIV)
Change #2) Being asked to give up your faith so you can keep up with the Joneses.
Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon — Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego — who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up. (Daniel 3:10-12 NIV)
Change #3) Navigating life or death tragedy.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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. 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. (Daniel 3:16-18 NIV)
Change #4) Success! Now what do I do?
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (Daniel 3:30 NIV)