Another in the Fire

​I can remember the soft chorus playing as the guitarist opened up the altar call with a few strums. I slowly walked to the front, my head lowered to hide the tears. I dropped to my knees on the green-carpeted altar. I’d found myself here, where I thought I’d never be: desperate and broken at the feet of Jesus. 

​Life had consumed me like a raging fire— my job had been ripped from underneath me and our finances were suffering as a result. My parents weren’t speaking to me, and a growing wedge had formed between my husband and me. Each had caused a grand domino effect, cascading into the other areas of our lives. I was desperate for change. And, because of my faith, I knew where I could find it: at the feet of the One Who gave it all.

​This faith-testing season of hardship felt like an inescapable fire. It reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s much more literal scenario. 
 
In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar decreed for all under his command to kneel and worship the false god he had created. Any who refused would suffer death by the fiery furnace. Now, there were three Jews - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - who refused to bow down to the false god because of their faith. Despite his admiration for the three servants, the King wasted no time demanding they be bound and thrown in. The fire was so hot that it killed the guards who threw them in.
 
However, the King had to check his eyes when he saw them unbound and walking freely within the fire. Not only that, but there was clearly another man in the fire with them, who resembled the Son of God. King Nebuchadnezzar called them out of the furnace, and they stood before him unscathed. They didn’t smell of smoke, and not even a single hair on their heads was frayed.
 
Though they walked through this fire, that had been set to burn seven times hotter than usual, they came out untouched by the flames. There, in the fire, they had experienced what few others had before— the physical presence of the Lord.
 
As Christ-followers, when we’re faced with our own fiery furnaces, we can be reminded that we are never alone. There is always Another in the fire with us, guiding us, hearing us, and protecting us. When we find ourselves toe-to-toe with the challenges of life, there stands a holy comfort in knowing that we can hold unswervingly to the hand of Jesus.
 
Friend, does life lately feel like a furnace? Rest in the comfort of knowing there is no fire that can stop the very presence of Jesus. He is with you, whether you see it right now or not. He is working on your behalf, and you will come out the other side not even smelling of smoke.
 
We can know, standing in unshakeable faith, that the fires of this life are, undoubtedly, no match for the God we serve. 

About the Author

Hi there! My name is Breanna Faith Spearman. I'm a mom who's on fire for God and loves to share His Word. I've been married now for four years to my wonderful husband. God has abundantly blessed us, as we welcomed our rainbow baby boy, Matthew in June 2020.

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