As written and presented by Mary Whelchel

PROGRAM D-6058

I find the king's behavior and attitude interesting in this story. Obviously he was an ego-maniac, demanding total worship and obedience and going a little berserk when he is defied. I always wonder why he thought that heating up the furnace was going to make things worse for these three men. I mean, fire is fire and they would have burned up regardless. We read in Daniel 3 that 'The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.'

Nebuchadnezzar is so consumed by himself that he loses some good soldiers unnecessarily by heating the furnace so hot. Have you noticed how an inflated ego can drive people to this kind of illogical and stupid behavior? Maybe you can think of people you know who demand attention and obedience and homage. They cannot tolerate anyone disagreeing with them or not having total control. Of course, when self is on the throne of our lives, this kind of ego problem can easily develop.

It's interesting to note the king's attitude once he sees that God has delivered these three young men and they come out of the furnace without any harm to their bodies, not even a smell of fire on them.

Now the king says, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego... They trusted in him and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.' And he orders that no one is to ever say anything against their God.

Had they not gone through the furnace, God's power could not have been displayed. Had God done it their way and delivered them before being thrown into the furnace, the king would not have had this vivid lesson of who God is. This terrible test, which must have looked to them like total disaster as they were being thrown into the fire, turns into a service of praise, as God is recognized by even the ungodly.

It's a good lesson for us to remember when we're in the furnace. Sometimes that's the only way we can have any effect on others, and if we come out refined as gold, they must recognize God's power in our life.

In Mary’s book "Looking with Forever Eyes" she shows readers how to view their circumstances from God’s perspective. Call the ministry at 1-800-292-1218 or go online to www.christianworkingwoman.org to order.

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