When I was young one of my favorite books, aside from the entire Nancy Drew series, of course, was an oversized, beautifully illustrated collection of Old Testament stories. One story in particular always held my fancy — Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego who were thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar.

This story was a continual source of amazement for me as I pondered these three young men willingly entering a white-hot furnace, surrendering themselves totally to God so they would not have to violate their beliefs or God’s law.

 Wow. Now these were some heroes.

 There’s no doubt that story played a part in forming my often passionate and sometimes radical heart. Later, as an adult who, like most others, found themselves thrust into one furnace or another from time to time, the witness of these three faithful Jews imparted also the importance of trusting fully in God.

 After all, life has a way of wearing us down and scorching our soul, providing us with innumerable opportunities to either do it our way or place our trust in the love of our Creator. There is no doubt as to the courage required for such trust, though, because just as often as love is the Angel that rescues us, love also seems to be the force that pushes us in the furnace!

 Love makes us vulnerable to what others think about us, say about us, feel about us. Love can leave us lonely on the road to Calvary and open to the searing pain of loss – the break-up of a marriage or relationship, the loss of a job or vocation, the death of a child, a loved one, a spouse. Certainly, if we didn’t love, we wouldn’t hurt.

 It is often so difficult to keep the heart open to love when love has been the cause of so much pain – trust broken, backs turned, thoughtless words spoken – that we may find ourselves succumbing to the desire to protect our hearts from Love’s flames. Then, little by little, we allow our hearts to turn to stone.

 When this begins to happen it is a time for prayer, a time to reflect on the words of Scripture, “Harden not your hearts.”

 This is the time to reflect on God’s Word — Jesus.

 Jesus’ example shows us the heart fully devoted to God can be wounded, broken or even consumed by the flames and, still, in the agony, rise up again.

 The reason for this is Love, not the imperfect love of persons but the perfect love of God that will not be turned away, even by sin, as long as God’s love is what our hearts desire. You see, God is a wise Lover, desiring only the heart freely opened, freely given – and devoted to God above all things as the fearless hearts of three young Jewish men.

 So when you hear God whisper, “Harden not your heart,” know that God also whispers your name – Beloved. And God never lets a Beloved walk into the furnace alone.

“He has freed us from the raging flame and delivered us from the fire. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.” Daniel 3:88-89