Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three faithful servants of God who were taken into Babylonian captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar. When the king issued a decree stating that everyone in his kingdom had to bow down and worship his golden idol or be thrown into a fiery furnace, these three young Hebrew men refused. The king was so furious with their disobedience that he ordered that the furnace be turned up seven times hotter than usual. The soldiers who threw the young Hebrews into the furnace were killed instantly. But while Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were inside the oven, they were visited by a heavenly deliverer and escaped unharmed. Scholars differ concerning the "fourth man" in the furnace. Some say it was an angel, others a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In either case, God rescued His faithful servants from certain destruction.

The above verses have gotten me through some of the most difficult times of my life. They have inspired me to believe in God's miracle-working, delivering power. At the same time, they have inspired me to commit myself to be faithful to God and trust Him during tests and trials, even if He chooses not to rescue me. Look at it this way--if God rescued us from trouble every time, we wouldn't need faith. Not only that, but many people would end up serving God only because doing so would guarantee them trouble-free lives. The truth is that we will never know for sure on this side of eternity why God sometimes allows His people to suffer adversity. But it's my prayer that you will take comfort in knowing that when you are in the midst of your trials, there will be a "fourth man" with you--and His name is Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, I must confess that I don't always understand why You often allow those who are devoted to you to experience suffering. Please quiet my doubts and fears with the reassurance that only comes from You. Give me the faith to declare Your ability and willingness to deliver me from harm. But also, give me the grace to stand firm and faithful when You choose not to rescue me. Thank You, Jesus, that when trouble comes, You'll be by my side!