Long ago, in a faraway land called Babylon, there lived three brave friends named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They loved God very much and always wanted to obey Him. But the king of Babylon made a big, shiny statue and told everyone to bow down to it.
The king said, “If you don’t bow down to my statue, I will throw you into a very hot fire!” That made the three friends very scared. The fire was called a fiery furnace, and it was hotter than the sun on a summer day!
But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a strong heart. They said, “Our God can save us from the fire. But even if He doesn’t, we will not bow down to your statue.” Their words were full of courage and trust in God.
The king was angry, and he told his soldiers to throw the three friends into the fiery furnace. The fire roared like a wild lion, and the heat was so strong that the soldiers who threw them in were burned.
But something amazing happened! When the king looked into the furnace, he saw not three, but four people walking around in the fire! The fourth person looked like a shining angel, protecting Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The fire did not hurt them at all! Their clothes did not burn, and they did not even smell like smoke. It was like God’s hand was holding them safe and warm, like a cozy blanket on a cold night.
The king was amazed and said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent His angel to save His servants who trusted Him.” Then the king told everyone to respect God, the true and powerful God.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were so happy! They knew God loved them and would always be with them, even in the hardest times. They smiled and thanked God for His wonderful help.
Do you think you can trust God like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Even when things are scary, God is always with you. He is stronger than any fire or trouble, and He loves to keep you safe.
Questions to think about
- Why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego not bow down to the statue?
- What did the king want to do to the friends?
- Who did the king see in the fire with the three friends?
- How did God protect Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
- What can you do when you feel scared or in trouble?
Message of the story
God is powerful and loves to protect His children. When we trust Him, He keeps us safe even in the hardest times.
Bible passage
You can read this story in the Bible in Daniel 3 (World English Bible – WEB):
> 1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
> 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather together the satraps, the prefects, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
> 3 Then the satraps, the prefects, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces were gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
> 4 Then a
