# Day 182

# The Furnace of Blazing Fire

Daniel 3:1–23

Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue ninety feet tall. An announcement was made to everyone to worship the statue or be thrown into the furnace.

Everyone worshiped the idol Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Everyone except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the friends of Daniel. They stood before the angry king.

“You must worship the golden statue I set up. If not, you’ll be thrown into the furnace.”

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we can only say this: We believe our God can save us from the furnace. If he doesn’t, we still won’t serve your gods. Nor will we worship your golden statue.”

Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with rage that his face became hideous. “Heat the furnace seven times hotter than ever before,” he commanded. His strongest guards tied up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The furnace raged with heat and killed the guards. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell down into its flames.