In Daniel 3, we get the story of the fiery furnace. Having had his dream interpreted, Daniel and the three others are put in charge of the wise men, having proven their heavenly insight. Nebuchadnezzar created a statue of gold and commanded all to worship it. The three refused and were brought before the king. When questioned, they responded that they would not bow the knee to any except their God. They showed immense faith saying that God would save them and that, even if he didn’t, they would not bow. The king ordered the furnace be made 7x hotter and had his strongest guards bind them and throw them into it - the heat was so immense that the guards died throwing the men in. However, a fourth person was noticed along side the other three, walking among the flames and appearing as a god. The king ordered them to come out and they walked out untouched and not even smelling of fire. Nebuchadnezzar ordered that they be promoted and that any who opposed their God we’re to be killed, as he was clearly in control of all.
Both 1 Peter 4 and Psalms 119 speak of “fiery trials.” While the exact story above may not happen to all of us, something similar certainly will. We must respond in the same way they did. David claims that the only thing that saved him was his delight in the law of God. Peter states we must remain humble and yet consider it an honor to be counted worthy of a trial by God. Keep the faith, even when it is hard, and you will be rewarded. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
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Daniel interprets the dream of the statue
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