Leflore Baptist Association

 

Feel the Heat

It is that time of year again—the time of year I do not particularly like. The scorching-hot days of summer have arrived, with temperatures climbing above 100 degrees and humidity that makes the heat feel even worse. I am a natural sweater, so during this time of year, I often feel like I am soaking wet from morning until night.

As I endure the heat, I cannot help but think about Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, more popularly known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three young men refused to bow down and worship the golden statue King Nebuchadnezzar had built. Because of their faithfulness to God, they were sentenced to be thrown into a blazing furnace. The king was so angry that he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. He wanted to make absolutely certain they would not survive. The heat was intense. The flames were deadly. Humanly speaking, there was no hope.

But when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, something unexpected happened. They did not die. In fact, they were not alone. The king looked into the furnace and asked, "Did we not cast three men into the midst of the fire? I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:24-25). There were three men in the furnace, but the king saw four.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were not in the fire alone. The Son of God was there with them.

And that is good news for you and me because sometimes life turns up the heat, too. Sometimes the heat comes through sickness, grief, disappointment, financial struggles, broken relationships, loneliness, or uncertainty about the future. Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances we never expected and would never have chosen. The pressure builds, the flames grow higher, and we wonder how we will ever make it through.

In those moments, Satan may whisper a lie that we are alone—that no one understands what we are going through, that no one cares, or that we have to face our struggles by ourselves. But that is not true.

God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire, and He is with us in our fires, too.

Maybe these hot summer days are not so bad after all. Perhaps every time the temperature rises and the heat becomes unbearable, we can allow it to remind us of a greater truth: No matter how hot the fire gets, God is still with us. The heat may be uncomfortable, and the flames may be frightening, but the One who walked with the three Hebrew men is the same One who walks with you and me.

Thankful for Him,

Bentley Hill