Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, provoked the wrath of King Nebuchadnezzar because they didn’t respect his gods and refused to worship the gold statue that he erected. The king offered them a second chance to escape a sure death if they would bow their knees and worship the statue.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we don't need to explain these things to you. If you throw us into the hot furnace, the God we serve can save us. And if he wants to, he can save us from your power. But even if God does not save us, we want you to know, king, that we refuse to serve your gods. We will not worship the gold idol you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18 Easy-to-Read Version, Revised Edition
Nebuchadnezzar’s face turned purple with rage. He ordered the furnace fired up seven times hotter than usual. Strongmen tied Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s hands and feet, and threw them fully dressed into the roaring furnace. The flames from the furnace killed the strongmen who bound Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But isn’t it interesting that the same flame that destroyed those who sought to bind and destroy the men of God, was able to set the men of God free?
When King Nebuchadnezzar gazed into the fire. God opened his eyes to see Jesus walking in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Alarmed and confused the king jumped up and said, "Didn't we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?" "That's right, O king," they said. "I see four men, walking freely around in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!" Nebuchadnezzar went to the door of the raging furnace and called, “Servants of the Most High God come out here!"
Many important government leaders and king's counselors, gathered around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to examine and question them as they walked out of the fire. They discovered that the fire hadn't so much as touched the three men — not a hair was singed, not a scorch mark was on their clothes, not even the smell of fire clung to them! Only the ropes that tried to bind and limit them were removed.
Nebuchadnezzar declared, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent His angel and rescued His servants who trusted in Him! They ignored my orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but the one true living God.
These three men demonstrated great faith, conviction and courage. They saw God deliver them from an impossible situation. They walked and talked with the fourth man in the fire. Jesus still walks with us in the fiery furnaces of life to comfort us in our times of testing and fiery trial.
The three Hebrew slaves possessed the same mind-set Jesus possessed when “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5 NKJV God’s desire is for us to utterly abandon ourselves to His will, even when it looks like circumstances are hopeless or out of control. God is always in control. We must choose to trust in His purposes and sovereignty. God will never disappoint us. God often delivers us by walking with us, or carrying us through the troubles, until we are strong enough to walk out of them.
These three men had the same resolve as Job when he said, “Though He slay me, Yet will I trust Him.” Job 13:15, NKJV
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Breath of the Spirit is designed to encourage the body of Christ to fulfill their unique destiny here on earth. Barbie Breathitt's infectious humor promotes unity with those inside and outside the church walls.
About Barbie Breathitt
Barbie Breathitt personally learned and now passionately teaches God's Love, Presence and Breath. Her astute prophetic voice and accurate dream interpretations have blessed those in prisons, hospitals, street ministry, Europe / third world nations, and enabled many hungry to grow. Barbie has abandoned herself to the Holy Spirit with miracles, signs and wonders following. Many individuals have been miraculously healed in her meetings while others have experienced the Presence of the Spirit as never before. Her deepest desire is to encourage the body of Christ to fulfill their unique destiny here on earth. Her infectious humor promotes unity with those inside and outside the church walls.Barbie has ministered for over twenty two years. She is ordained. Barbie has established and conducted three prophetic training centers. Barbie now lives in Texas and opened Breath of the Spirit Center of Training in 2004. Breath of the Spirit offers a variety of courses on Healing, Revelatory Gifts, Dream Interpretation and Evangelistic Outreaches. She is available for conference, teaching and hands on training.
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