One of my favorite Bible stories growing up was about three guys named Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. You probably know them better by their Babylonian names, but I shared these names because they, along with their buddy Daniel, all have a reference to God in them. “-el” is the first part of the Hebrew word for God. “-iah” is a reference to the name God revealed to Moses in the burning bush, often rendered as Yahweh or Lord.  The point is they were all believers who lived out their faith and lived up to their names.

Daniel 1:6–7 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Seeing their Babylonian names, you probably know these were the three guys thrown in the fiery furnace. Daniel 3 tells us why. King Nebuchadnezzar had a 90 foot golden idol built and issued an edict that whenever the music played in the city, everyone should bow down to it. These three young men refused to do so, and they were reported. They were brought before Nebuchadnezzar, who gave them another chance to bow to the idol before threatening,

“But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Daniel 3:15)

The part that made this one of my favorite stories is the way they responded to the king.

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)

Our God is able. Let that sink in. Our God is able. He can do anything. But we leave it in His hands. If He wants to spare us, He will. If He wants to welcome us into His presence, He will do that. He is the one in control. Always. Our God is able.

A noted theologian in the last century was a man who taught at seminary I attended before I was a student there. His name was Martin Franzman. He once wrote: “Good times and good things will not save the church, and they will not save us. Bad things and bad times will not destroy us or the church. The Lamb that was slain alone can save, and the wrath of the Lamb alone can destroy us.” (Martin Franzman, Concordia Theological Monthly, vol. 34, issue 1, January 1963)

We know the one eternally in control. His victory was ultimate and for all time. Through a cross he made payment for the sins of the world. Through faith in Him that payment becomes yours. Through His resurrection He had defeated death and opened heaven for you. Your faith lays claim to that as well.

In the story above, God did spare those three from the furnace, unharmed. In the early days of Christianity, many faithful martyrs were not spared here on earth, but were welcomed into heaven. In both situations, God was in control and did what was best.

Live your lives with that confidence. You know the one in control. Our God is able.