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The Transforming Power of Fire
Discovering and dominating fire was a key factor in human evolution. It not only helped the first humans to stay warm and have light to illuminate the darkness, it also provided them with protection from predators. Fire, we huddle around it in search of warmth. We cook with fire. As kids we may have jumped over the embers of the fire. We let ourselves be hypnotized by its moving flames. Fire attracts us hopelessly due to its destructive abilities, but also for its infinite transforming power. Depending on what substance you place into fire it may either be consumed by the fire or transformed by the fire.
Before modern metalworking techniques were invented, blacksmiths used fire to make metal workable. Once the metal was formed into the desired shape, the heated metal was cooled quickly. The process made the metal harder, transforming it into a different substance. Many substances like paper or wood when placed into the fire are totally consumed, reduced to nothing but ashes. The greatest story from the bible dealing with the transforming power of fire is that of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
During Nebuchadnezzar’s second year as king, the Lord gave him terrible dreams. When none of his wise men were able to interpret his dreams, he sentenced them to death. Then he asked Daniel to tell him what his dream was and interpret it. Daniel asked Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to pray that God would reveal it to him – and He did. He advanced Daniel to a high post, gave him many generous presents and made him ruler of the whole province of Babylon. At Daniel’s request the king made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego administrators of the province of Babylon. This made the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, and other officials of the kings court furious!
They hatched an evil plan and convinced King Nebuchadnezzar to pass a decree that each day at a certain time everyone should bow to and worship a enormous gold statue. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to follow the decree. The men who plotted against them brought this to the king’s attention. Nebuchadnezzar was infuriated, and immediately had the three men brought before him. King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up?” Daniel chapter 3 verses 16 thru 18 records the young men's response to King Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 3: 16-18 NIV 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.”
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound and cast into the furnace, they began lifting their voices in praise to God. The king’s servants continued to stoke the flames, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remained unharmed, because the substance of their lives was the one and only true God!!! What is the substance of your life? When you are faced with the fiery trails of life do they consume you or transform you? Because of the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego God delivered them from fire. When they emerged from the furnace, it was clear that the fire had had no power over the bodies, not a hair of their heads had been singed, and their garments were not altered.
