Facing the Flames

March 20, 2024 | By Cameron Pien Cornell ‘27

image description: Fire blazes amongst ashes

I’ve notoriously never been comfortable with discomfort. In my own words, I’m protective of my well-being; in the words of my siblings, I’m a certified wimp. At an appointment with my optometrist three weeks ago, I mustered every modicum of mental fortitude I possessed to prevent myself from bolting from the room when the doctor started shining a light into my eye. I was blinded by a visceral, petrifying fear of pain as much as by the fluorescent beam. 

When I read today’s Old Testament passage about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I was awestruck by their stalwart courage when threatened with extreme physical torment. After the three Israelites refused to bow down before a statue of King Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler decreed that they would “immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.” [1] Still, instead of capitulating and worshiping the king, they replied, “If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods.” [2] Their resolute loyalty can inspire us to see beyond the physical and mental pain immediately before us to the omnipotent God beyond us. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had complete confidence in the Lord’s capability to shield them from the flames, but they also fully surrendered to His plan. They declared that God could save them, “but if not,” they would still equally honor Him—even to the point of likely death—exemplifying faith in both God’s sovereign power and His wisdom. 

When they were thrown into the furnace, the pre-incarnate Jesus appeared beside them, and they emerged unscathed. Around six hundred years later, in the face of similar imminent torture, the incarnate Jesus cried out to His Father, praying “If you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” [3] Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Jesus stood trial before the preeminent mortal authority of His time. Like them, He was condemned to an excruciating death. In Jesus’ case, God’s plan included Him suffering that demise, but He ultimately conquered the grave three days later: In both situations, God demonstrated His absolute power over death. After Jesus prayed in the garden, “an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” [4] Though the Father did not remove the bitter cup of the cross, He equipped His Son to accomplish His will.

Whether God’s liberation and victory are immediate, as it was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, or slightly delayed, as it was with Jesus, His timing is perfect, and His plan always leads to His glory. When Nebuchadnezzar witnessed the salvation of the three Israelites, he cried out, “​​Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” [5] Through their faith, the king of the Babylonian Empire came to praise God. Through Jesus’ obedience to His Father, He saved the whole world from sin and offered eternal life to all who believe in Him. The Messiah willingly endured the agony of the cross and the inferno of hell without His Father so that we could be reconciled with God and never have to face the fire alone. 

When we’re tempted to bow down to the idol of comfort or worldly approval in the face of physical, mental, or emotional hardship, we can remember the extraordinary faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as well as the selfless sacrifice of our Savior, who suffered the wrath of His Father in order to fulfill a greater plan of reconciliation. God calls us to take up our crosses and face discomfort, but He promises to stand beside us in the furnace and provide us with eternal hope in Him. 

I am easily blinded by the inconveniences and tribulations of this world, whether they be as temporary as a doctor’s appointment or as serious as the denigration of my beliefs or the loss of a desired community. Like when the skies opened before Stephen as he was stoned, I pray that God would grant me a heavenly perspective instead of an earthly one. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “Men frown at you, but you can see God smiling on you, and so you are not moved.” [6] 

Though my vision may be obfuscated by worldly pressures and trials, God enables me to overcome fear with faith. As we consider the furnaces that intimidate us, let us pray in the collect for today that God would “increase our faith.” May He strengthen our souls to face the fire with the conviction of His company and His victory. 

Resources:

[1] Daniel 3:15 [NRSV]

[2] Daniel 3: 17–18 [NRSV]

[3] Luke 22:42 [NIV]

[4] Luke 22:43 [NIV]

[5] Daniel 3:28 [NRSV]

[6] Charles Spurgeon. “Is it True?”. Published September 12, 1886.  https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/is-it-true/#flipbook/