Read

Daniel 3:19-25

¹⁹Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. ²⁰Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. ²¹So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully clothed. ²²And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in! ²³So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell down into the roaring flames.

²⁴But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes,” they said, “we did indeed, Your Majesty.”

²⁵“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire. They aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a divine being!”

Reflect

To say Nebuchadnezzar was angry is an understatement! He was furious! He was being directly challenged by three men whom he placed into power. So, he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal! Hot enough that it killed the soldiers who threw them in! That was some hot fire! Nebuchadnezzar didn’t make the fire hot so that their death would be worse than normal. He was so mad, that he wanted to make a statement. He wanted to tell everyone that their insolence was seven times greater than any other crime that might be committed. He wanted to establish his authority. He had an adverse relationship with his advisors and he wanted to show them, and the rest of his kingdom, that he was the supreme king, he had the power and he would use it.

But things didn’t quite go the way the king intended. Instead of dispatching his insolent servants quickly, God used the king’s anger against him! Because the furnace was seven times hotter than normal, it made the miraculous deliverance that much more spectacular. God used the king’s anger to bring glory to Himself, proving once again to Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, the king and his other advisors that God is always in control and He is the only God worthy of worship!

Respond

1. Why did Nebuchadnezzar order the furnace to be seven times hotter than normal?
2. Who was the fourth person in the furnace when the king looked in?
3. How did God show that he is in control? How can you apply this lesson to your daily life?

===================================================
If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.