“there was no smell of fire on them.”

Daniel 3:27b

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’m surprised when God allows me to go through a difficult trial. If I am trying my best to follow, love, and serve Him with my whole heart, why would He allow this struggle? One day, the realization came to me; well, why not me? If God allowed His Son to endure the cross, what makes me special enough to receive an exemption from struggles?  

In yesterday’s devotional, we saw that even though God allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to experience the heat, Jesus was with them, and He did not allow them to be consumed by the fire. In the next verse, we see Nebuchadnezzar calling to the three men, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God – come out!” 

As the crowd drew near, they witnessed the fact that these men experienced no harm. Verse 27 tells us, “they saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” Let that soak in for a moment. 

These men were thrown into and walked around in the most “heated” situation they had ever experienced, yet Jesus brought them through in complete victory! They didn’t even smell like smoke when the trial was over. 

As I studied this, my mind made connections and my heart leapt in hope as God put the pieces together for me. I walked into the Bible study defeated and discouraged but left with so much hope that I felt I could conquer any feelings of defeat and press on in obedience.  

What fiery trial do you find yourself in today? He may not keep you from the experience, but He will walk with you through the fire, encourage you along the way, and on the other side, there will be no evidence that you went through the flames. Now, sister, that is sweet encouragement!  Praise Him!

Johna Clemons