Daniel 3:17-18
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.

The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, overthrew Judah and took the best and brightest back to Babylon. Among the young men he took as prisoners were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When the captives were ordered to bow down and worship an image of gold, these three Israelites refused and were sentenced to die in a blazing furnace; but they lived without fear.

The three were confident that God was able to deliver them. Even if God did not see fit to deliver them from the fire, they remained unfazed. “We want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue ….” With the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal, the three young men were thrown into the fire. When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the flames, the three were unharmed because God had sent an angel to protect them.

Living without fear is the confidence that God can deliver us from anything at any time. However, even if he chooses to let us perish in the fire, we will still refuse to bow down before anyone or anything but him. Living without fear is the confidence of knowing that our life, death, and eternity are in his hands.

Father, we belong to you. Help us obey you and honor you even when the battle continues, and even when we walk through the fire. May we submit our will to yours and trust you to deliver us safely home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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