Daniel 3  Nebuchadnezzar clearly forgot the lesson that Daniel taught him when he told him his dream and its interpretation... however, he didn't forget the part that the statue's head of gold represented him.  So, he had an image made of gold.. 60 cubits high and 6 cubits wide.. about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide.  He commanded that all those that served in his kingdom attend the dedication of this statue. When the music played, all of them were to fall down before the image and worship it. 

We know the story well.. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego..would not bow to this idol or any idol. Even when threatened with certain death, they would not bow.  "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (v16-18)

They were tied up and thrown into the furnace.. so hot that the "valiant warriors" who had tied them up and thrown them in were killed by the flames.  Yet, the three men were not killed. Instead, they were joined by a fourth man in the fire.. one whose appearance was "like a son of the gods"!

Nebuchadnezzar, himself, called out to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.. to come out of the furnace.. and they did.. fully clothed.. no hairs on their heads were singed.. and they didn't even smell like smoke. Only their bonds were gone.  Nebuchadnezzar knew.. once again.. that the God of Israel was not an ordinary god.. "there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way." he said. ( v29)  He sent out a decree that no one, anywhere, should speak anything offensive about God. 

Are we like Nebuchadnezzar sometimes? Do we forget just how great our God is? Do we trust Him in the fire like we trust Him in the blessings?  

Father in heaven, You alone are God in heaven and earth and there is no other!  May our faith be like that of these three men.. that no matter what we will trust You, serve You, and worship only YOU.  Let our testimony be that You have brought us through the fire.. that You have delivered us from death.. and that You have walked with us through it all..   To You alone we yield ourselves.. our whole hearts, minds, and bodies.  May Your will be done in us this day and every day!  Amen