Story 44 of 100 · Based on Daniel 3
The Three Friends in the Fiery Furnace
King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made and ordered that, when the music sounded, everyone should kneel before it.
There were three young men who did not do so: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They worshiped only the true God.
The king found out, and was furious. He sent for them.
—Is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the statue? I will give you another chance. If you do not worship it, I will throw you into the fiery furnace. And what god will be able to save you from my hands?
The three young men answered:
—Your Majesty, we do not need to defend ourselves against that. If our God, whom we serve, wants to save us from the furnace and from your hands, he will save us. And even if he does not, let the king know that we will not serve your gods or worship the statue.
The king ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual, and commanded that the three young men be tied up and thrown into the fire.
But then the king jumped to his feet, amazed.
—Did we not throw three men, tied up, into the fire? —he asked his counselors—. Yet I see four men, untied, walking in the middle of the fire without any harm! And the fourth looks like a son of the gods.
He went up to the door of the furnace and shouted:
—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!
They came out of the fire. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their clothes were not burned, and they did not even smell of smoke.
—Blessed be their God —said the king—, who sent his angel and saved his servants who trusted in him.
Let's talk: The three young men were faithful to God. How can you be faithful, even when it is not easy?
In the fire, God was with them. God is with you in hard times. Goodnight.