In today’s reading we find that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were indeed saved, and much more than just saved:

“Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.’ Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.” (a portion of the Old Testament reading for today, Daniel 3:26-27)

How many times have you been in a room where only one person was smoking a cigarette, and yet when you emerged you found your hair and your clothing smelled like smoke?  These three men were thrown into this fiercely hot furnace with all their clothes on (“bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments”, v.21, probably to ensure they would catch fire immediately) and yet they emerged untouched, without even the SMELL of smoke anywhere!
This is an amazing thing: God rescued them from the fire, not by transporting them out of it but by joining them in it!

“Look!” he [Nebuchadnezzar] answered, “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.”

The point of this historical event is not so much that they were saved (which is glorious!), but much more so that Jesus was with them in the trial.  Faithful men and women throughout the ages have gone through trials, and many have not been saved from death (including ten of the original 11 apostles).  But Jesus Christ was with every single one of them whether He appeared visibly or not.

That, my friends, is what gives the courage to walk through every trial … even physical danger and opposition: the knowledge that our Saviour will never let us go through it alone.  “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5b).  We can therefore say with confidence, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us and He will deliver us; but even if He does not, we will not forsake Him” … and then step into the fire with our Lord.

Are you called to a position of involvement or leadership in some ministry of the Church?  If so, then know this: satan opposes every little thing that God does, and he will not fail to oppose you.  You will be tested as never before, and it won’t stop.

[King] Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
(a portion of the Old Testament reading for today, Daniel 3:14-18)

Though satan sometimes rests from his assault, he never gives up.
When he has you beaten down and discouraged … will you give up?

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

Do you aspire to be a leader or teacher in the church? Count the cost. God will hold you accountable for those you teach, and especially for what you teach them. You will also encounter trials and challenges like never before. Your hopes and expectations will frequently come crashing to the ground. You will want to give up.

This is not a negative confession. It is fact. Jesus told His disciples at the Last Supper, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” (John 15:20-21)

And it all seems so unfair. Jeremiah spoke to the Lord about this (from today’s Old Testament reading, Jeremiah 12:1-16).

Jeremiah:  “Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.  Why does the way of the wicked prosper?  Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?” (v. 1)

The Lord:  “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?  And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?” (v. 5)

The Lord’s response doesn’t seem filled with sympathy, does it? He says, in essence, “you haven’t seen anything yet. If these small challenges wear you out, what will happen to you when your path becomes really difficult and treacherous?” In fact God goes on to “complain” that His heritage – His people to whom He has given so much – have forsaken Him. The parallels to Jesus’ experience are unmistakable.

Yet He promises to restore and bless all those who are faithful. He will not cease working in them and through them … and He will not cease in you – if you do not give up seeking His face and His will, and then doing it!