19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside[b] the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

God has been reminding his children of who he is and revealing to the Babylonians who he is. Chp 1 – Wise men set the challenge by stating no one could reveal the mystery of the dream. Chp 3 Nebuchanezzar set ups the challenge by stating what god can rescue you from me. God reveals himself both times.

Summary Point: Our stand for & trust in God may further infuriate those who are opposed to Him. Yet its the right thing to do.

The heat of the trial was increased greatly. The opposition was swift and seemingly insurmountable. The rage of the opposition caused others to die.

God chose to meet the 3 young men in the fire God chose to meet the 3 young men in the fire. He chooses that for his followers throughout scripture at times.

Summary Point: The fire of trials can both consume and liberate.

The fire consumed those outside of Gods will and protection. The fire consumed the things that were used to restrict the followers of God.

Summary Point: Throughout scripture we see God bringing freedom and deliverance in the fire or the storm.

We are not given freedom to live as we want but freedom to live as we ought. 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Freedom to commune with God Freedom to represent God Freedom to demonstrate Gods greatness through us.

The result of Gods work in the life of the obedient follower of Christ can astonish the world. You don’t look like you’ve been through what you’ve been through.

Summary Point: God demonstrates that he gives true life to those who lose their lives for him. -Matthew 16:25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Nebuchadnezzar saw the truth of who God is through the faithfulness of his followers. That’s what he wants to do through his followers today as well today.

God demonstrated that he is the only one who can make the claim Nebuchadnezzar. Deut. 32:39 “‘See now that I, even I, am he,
    and there is no god beside me;
I kill and I make alive;
    I wound and I heal;
    and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.

Summary Point: God can completely deliver and do opposite of what the world intended. (Demonstrated throughout scripture) - Joseph & his brothers - Mordecai & Haman - Jesus & the Jews+the entire world

Summary Point: Promotion for greater service may come through a stand through deeper trials.