“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed.”
— Daniel 3:25 (NIV)
Three friends named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego loved God with all their hearts. They worked for the king in a faraway land, but God was always first in their lives.
One day the king built a giant golden statue. He made a rule: when the music played, everyone had to bow down to the statue. But the three friends knew they should only worship God.
When the music played, everybody bowed low — but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood up tall. They would not bow to the golden statue, not even a little bit.
The king was very angry. He told his helpers to make a big furnace very hot, and the three friends were placed inside. But they trusted God, and they were not afraid.
Then something wonderful happened. The king looked into the fire and gasped. “I see FOUR men walking in the fire!” The fourth one shined bright and beautiful, and a warm, gentle glow wrapped all around the friends to keep them safe.
The king called them out, and they walked right out of the fire — not even one hair burned, no smoke smell at all! “Their God is the true God!” the king said. And everyone could see that God had been with them the whole time.
The Big Idea
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego only worshiped God, and God was right there with them. We can love God and trust Him too, because He is always with us.
Reflect & Discuss
- 1.Why wouldn’t the three friends bow to the golden statue?
- 2.Who did the king see walking with them in the fire?
- 3.When is it hard for you to do the right thing, even when others don’t?
A Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Help me to love and worship only You, and to be brave because I know You are always with me. Amen.
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