In the land of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar built a golden statue that towered ninety feet high. He commanded all the people to bow down and worship it whenever they heard the sound of musical instruments. But there were three young men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were faithful to their God and refused to bow down.
When the king heard about their defiance, he was furious. He ordered the three men to be brought before him and gave them a final chance to bow down. But they replied, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us. But even if he does not, we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up.”
Enraged, King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered strong soldiers to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace. The fire was so intense that it killed the soldiers who threw them in.
But something miraculous happened. The king looked into the furnace and saw four men walking around unharmed, and the fourth looked like a son of the gods. Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and called the three men out of the furnace. When they came out, their clothes were not burned, and they did not even smell of fire.
The king then praised their God and decreed that no one should speak against him. He promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to higher positions in the kingdom. Through their faith and courage, they showed that God is always with those who trust in him, even in the midst of the fiercest trials.