COMMUNION IN THE FURNACE
‘And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’
I. What an unexpected greeting must this have been to the three children!—What a joyful surprise! What a marvellous place to meet and hold communion with Jesus—the midst of a burning fiery furnace, heated seven times more than it was wont to be heated! That He should join the two disciples in their evening walk to Emmaus seems more reasonable, but who could dream that He would reveal Himself here? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, though exposed to the scorching anger of the king of Babylon, staggered not at the faithfulness of God, but, with an invincible strength of faith, grasped deliverance ere it came, saying, ‘Our God will deliver us out of thy hand, O king!’ Yet, I question whether, amid all their unflinching confidence, they anticipated such a time of fellowship as the God they served was preparing for them. They were driven from the throne of Nebuchadnezzar, and cast out from the society of men, but it was only to enter the presence of the Lord, and to hold intercourse with the King of kings. Methinks they must have been right sorry to hear the royal mandate, ‘Come forth, and come hither;’ yet they asked not miraculous preservation when no longer needful, but came forth refreshed from the furnace, their bonds alone consumed, to serve the Master they had seen with new alacrity in the high duties of their station.
II. Afflicted saints! three lessons lie here upon the surface for you; and many others will be dug up if you work the mine, for the vein of ore is rich: but these three are manifest. (1) Declare unhesitatingly your final deliverance—it glorifies God, abashes Satan, strengthens your brethren, and cheers yourself. (2) Be encouraged by the example of the three children to look for special manifestations of Christ’s Presence in affliction. Plead the promise which they realised. Seek Jesus, and you shall find Him. (3) When He removes the trial, cheerfully betake thee to the active duties of life. Be not so enamoured of the fellowship in the furnace as idly to hang back when He calls thee forth. His viewless Presence shall be with thee still; and though in the world thou hast tribulation, still in Him thou shalt have peace.
Bishop E. H. Bickersteth.