Throughout this week, I have seen several scriptures with a common theme. The common themes I observed were perseverance and endurance. As I read the scriptures, the three Hebrew boys came to mind. (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in Daniel Chapter 3) . I'll give you a quick run-down for those who may not have heard of this story. The king (Nebuchadnezzar) had a golden image, and every time the beat dropped, aka everytime the instruments sounded, the people were supposed to bow down and worship this statue. The three Hebrew boys refused to bow down because they served the one true living God. Someone told the king, and he threw the boys into a furnace. They were not burned, and the king said it looked like a fourth person was in there with them, a son of a God. The king called them out of the furnace and realized their God was the one true God.

3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried [b]aloud: "To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." (Daniel 3:3-6)

7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Daniel 3:7) 

Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 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? 15 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?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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."

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king's command was [c]urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste andspoke, saying to his [d]counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?"

They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."

25 "Look!" he 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[e] Son of God." (Daniel 3:13-25)

My question to you is when the heat is on, how will you respond? This story shows that these men knew in their heart that God would save them. THEY HAD FAITH. The interesting thing I found in this story is that the king provided more than one opportunity to bow to the statue. The first time without the king realizing the second time in front of the king. When they refused he had them placed into the furnace; Talk about trials. Romans 5:3-4 says, "We also boast[a] of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope." 

James 1:2-3 says, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." Job 23: 10 says. "But He knows the way that I take;

 When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." As we continue in this life we will face adversity and unpleasant situations. I want to remind you and encourage you not to give up. Keep pressing forward despite the difficulties. God is with you. Just as in the story, the was a fourth person in the fire; God is with you in the fire you are facing. I know it may be uncomfortable and challenging, but keep pushing through, and when it is all over, you will be so happy you didn't give up. May God bless you richly in many ways.