Bible Pictures Help:  The Fiery Furnace

“Then these men were tied up in their slippers, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other clothes, and were thrown into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.”
Daniel 3:21 (MKJV) 

For this picture we see a small number of people going into the very hottest place where the rest of the community can’t actually go. In my case it is like my husband and I going into the chemotherapy unit for the actual treatment. There is only room for me and one other person. 

But first there is the scary bit in verse 15, “Now if you are ready, at the time you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, zither, the lyre, harp, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, fall down and worship the image which I have made. But if you do not worship, in that moment you shall be thrown into the middle of a burning fiery furnace.” They knew what the king had in store for them unless they chose to turn back and worship the golden image. I knew what was to come in the way of treatment unless I chose to refuse it and take my chances with the cancer. It is scary. 

Again, the three needed their focus on God and the knowledge that He had the power to save them. “If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, then He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” (verses 17-18) They would take their chances with God. Having prayed about it and received the pictures, I decided to enter the ‘fiery furnace’ of treatment, trusting God for the best results. 

Reading on in verse 25, “Behold! I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and there is no harm among them.” The king sees an extra person with the ones he has put into the furnace. Just as God was with them, he is with us in our fiery furnaces. Mine is the chemo unit, yours maybe the teacher’s or boss’s office, or going to see a friend to apologise, but God goes with us making the scary place safe. 

And when we come out we’ll be fine. “The men were not burned, their hair wasn’t scorched, and their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke.” (verse 27 CEV)  The men weren’t singed nor even smelt of smoke. I had some side effects of the drugs but only those which God decided I could handle – even if I would have chosen to avoid them had it been possible.  But I’m OK and still trusting God to continue bringing me through. 

At the end of the day, it is all to his glory. After all, it is his story we are part of, not so much the other way round. 

Prayer
Thank you for including us in your story, Father, and for always bringing us through our trials one way or another. Please help anyone who is facing their fiery furnace by giving them courage and complete confidence in you to bring them out the other side. Thank you.
Amen

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 About the Author:
Ruth Edwards is actively involved in her Worldwide Church of God Bristol congregation, including editing Links, a church magazine for the congregations of the South West and South Wales area.  Ruth is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, hence the hat in the photo.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Bristol
Emmersons Green Village Hall
Emmerson Way
EMMERSONS GREEN
South Gloucestershire
BS16 7AP

Meeting Time:
Saturday 11:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Allan Frankcom
Email:  jf007d991@blueyonder.co.uk