Yesterday, during church service, towards the end, a leader of the church came forth. He asked if there was anyone experiencing a difficult situation like the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. My hands lifted up automatically. He told one significant thing: there is a Fourth person in the fiery furnace.
“I felt an instant urge to go home and dive deeper into this story.”
Let us read this story from the Bible together.
Daniel 3 : 16-20
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
As I was meditating on this story, the Holy Spirit reminded me. No matter what furnace of fire we go through in life, we are not in the battle alone. There is a fourth person.
Who is this fourth person?
The bible records in Daniel chap 3 verse 28 that says 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!
In verse 25 it states 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
So, this shows there was something divine. There was a presence of God during this time when they were in the fire. The furnace was seven times hotter. But because of this fourth person, the three men of God were not touched by fire. I believe this person is the Holy Spirit himself.
When we continue reading the passage, we find that at the end, King Nebuchadnezzar promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He promoted them in the province of Babylon. The person who threatened them with the fire was the same person who promoted them. He realized there was something divine with them.
Are you someone here going through some form of fiery furnace?
I was just telling the Lord last weekend,” Abba I have so many needs around me. Give me the grace to do what is needed.”
“I thought things were finally turning for the better, but yesterday I received news that shattered my spirit. I felt broken and cried out to the Lord, ‘Really, Lord? Is this truly happening?”
But the image of the divine presence trailing through Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego reminded me I was not to be worried. Instead, continue magnifying the Lord because the presence of God is with me.
Isaiah chap 43 :1
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
“Each of us is living a story only we can tell—a story called life. Along this journey, we face storms and seasons that test our spirit, shaping us to rise with courage or, at times, pushing us to the edge of surrender.”
I was comforted knowing there is a fourth in the story of the fiery furnace. I was comforted knowing I am not alone in this battle. The Holy Spirit is with me.
Even when I was writing the note today, I told the Holy Spirit, I refuse to be mediocre. I pray that every step of my journey will give you back the glory. I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me through my next season of life.
Then I hear the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit, reminding me.”Have you forgotten you are a Child of God? The presence of God rubs off on you. You don’t need to show them. The presence rubs off on you. Wherever you go, you bring the presence. Do not fear, I am with you, whispered the Holy Spirit.”
I thank God for this divine encounter, even when I was writing this note.I am so grateful for His love upon me.
If you are struggling in one way or another, remember this. There is something powerful you can do. Do the most powerful thing you can do. That is going to the Lord in prayer. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Say this today : ”I thank you Lord for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.”-R.J.JOHN
Prayer for today: ”Abba Father, I thank you Lord, you are the Lord of my reader’s life. I surrender each one of them into your hands. Whatever struggles or challenges they are going through, You be glorified in their life. You are the fourth person in any fiery situation that they are going through in their life. I thank you, Lord, for miracles, deliverance, and full healing and restoration in any area of their life. All I ask and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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I am a simple girl from a small town with simple faith, wanting to do big for the Lord. I know with God on my side, nothing is impossible. Allow me to move to my next level of faith. If you believe in this dream, I invite you to partner financially with me. Thank you. God bless you.
– R.J. John.
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Thank you, readers, and stay blessed.
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Joy of the Lord is my Strength Note Series 