Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.29Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Chris captures the essence of what I think of when my mind goes to the “fiery furnace” mentioned in Daniel 3. The colors that he uses, in conjunction with the texture all around the figures reminds me that, in the story, the three men were completely engulfed into the fire. Nebuchadnezzar’s intent was to have them completely destroyed by this super hot fire for their disobedience. They, unlike those around them, chose to take a stand for their one true God; by doing so, they made a clear statement against the “god king” Nebuchadnezzar”
I’ve often relished the truths that come through this passage of scripture. Standing up for God does quite often mean that we stand against the crowd, and most often some figure of authority. It also means that we will most likely be tested and thrown into the fires of society’s furnace. However, the truth that stands out the most for me is that when the onlookers peered into the furnace, they saw not 3, but 4 figures engulfed by the flames. You see, God didn’t promise to keep them out of the fire, but he did promise that he wouldn’t leave or forsake them, and that he’d be there to protect them. The three men left that fire untouched by the flames, only the cords that were used to bind them were burnt by the flames.
God promises never to leave us, to always be by our side. No matter how hot life’s furnace gets, how much wood or oil people try to throw on the flames, God is there…and there is peace and power in that knowledge.
Chris Cook is a premier southern artist and owner of Madison Studios, a web design, maintenance, and e-commerce and marketing company. For his artist biography, contact information, or to view more of his work, click HERE.
