See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10, NIV

 

The year 2020 will live on as one of the most disruptive in human memory. For Formula One driver, Romain Grosjean, 29 November 2020 was especially memorable – it was the day he walked out of a fire.

 

Racing in the Bahrain Grand Prix, on the opening lap, his car left the track and burst into flames. After taking swift action, he was only in the inferno for 30 seconds, but still suffered severe burns, especially to one hand. Seeing him walking out of that fire looked other-worldly. (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JEu1oMZBI3I)

 

I could not help but think of those three Hebrew men – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – in the furnace in Babylon. Oh, how their faith was tested in plains before a self-absorbed king demanding that they worship him rather than the God of Israel.

 

Their recorded reply, in Daniel 3:16-18, ensured that they were thrown into a burning furnace. Under normal circumstances, there would be absolutely zero chance of escape. "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

 

And did God deliver! We should not miss several key aspects of this account though. There was a fourth man in the fire with them. God did not just save them from the fire, but some believe that he walked with them in the fire. He did not allow even their hair to be singed.

 

Critical to note: only the bonds that held them captive were burned away; otherwise they were completely unharmed. Yet, the ungodly men who had thrown them into the fire in the first place had succumbed. Same fire, different outcome.

 

Furthermore, the furnace had been heated to seven times more than usual, supposedly sealing their fate. Instead, it revealed God’s perfect timing and deliverance. Stunningly, what we might describe as Shekinah glory was on full display.

 

Have you felt like you are in the fire of trials lately? Needing to be rescued from the toll exacted? Then the conviction, faith and courage of these men should spur you on. And over the next few days, we look at the exploits of other Old Testament stalwarts.

 

Keep trusting even when the odds seem stacked against you. God still specialises in the impossible; He is still in the death-defying miracle business. Who knows how he will turn your situation around?