THE WHOLE SITUATION played out on live television when thirty-three Chilean miners were trapped in a gold mine.
No one knew they were alive for the first 17 days—and when the drill went through the massive rock, the world watched as they mobbed the rescuer that came in through the hole.
What an unforgettable picture of what Jesus did for us?
The space they occupied became their room of refuge—their panic turned into relief, and their misery turned into delight.
The Narrative
THREE HEBREW MALES were taken captive in their teens.
The king chose them to serve, but with the pecks came conditions antithetical to their faith.
Nebuchadnezzar, the king, told all people to bow and worship his gold image—whoever doesn’t, will be cast into the fiery furnace.
And when Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego did not bow, some Chaldeans told the king.
The king was furious. He warned that if they do not worship, they would be thrown into the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:1-13)
What influences you?
THE THREE of them were mindful of who they were.
Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego told the king that even if their God does not deliver them, they will still not bow.
You cannot make an adequate contribution to your world without knowing who you are—those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. (Daniel 11:32)
“If you have died with Christ to the world’s way of doing things, why do you let others tell you how to live? It’s as though you were still under the world’s influence.” (Colossians 2:20)
Where is your focus?
BELIEVERS CAN WALK through a maze of conflict and confusion and still have a good understanding of what’s happening to them—and this is because they are seeking things above.
Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the highest position. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)
The reason you struggle with your Christian walk is that your eyes are not on these things.
When you start to look to Him, God will give you things that you need and keep the ones that will harm you away.
What is your conviction?
AGAINST ALL ODDS, they stuck to their faith. They were ready for anything that the king will throw at them.
They were not acting; they had an understanding. They knew that God could release them from the king’s grip and move them forward.
To move beyond every point in life, you must have an understanding—and with conviction comes commitment.
Paul was confident that whatever he committed unto Him, God can keep until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)
Who do you worship?
WHEN CHRIST spoke to the Samaritan woman, he said, “You worship what you know not, but we know what we worship, salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22)
The Hebrew males knew who they worshipped. They were committed to God.
My question to you is, “Who do you worship?”
Will you take a stand?
MESHACH, SHADRACH AND ABEDNEGO were willing to die for their faith. They knew that God does not always rescue martyrs.
The king told his men to heat the furnace seven times. They bound and threw them in. But when he looked into the furnace, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
There was a fourth man who looked like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:25)
The king called out to them. They came out of the fiery furnace, and he blessed the Lord.
Just as the rescuer showed up in the cave to save the miners, Jesus became the fourth man in the fiery furnace.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
THE MINERS were rescued and raised to the surface of the earth. And Jesus Christ died and rose that we may rise to life.
God’s primary purpose for your life isn’t prosperity but Christlikeness.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. (Matthew 6:33)