Most of us can probably look back at our elementary school years and remember our annual visit to the local fire department and the infamous Stop, Drop & Roll presentation!  The fireman would demonstrate how this easy safety practice could prevent serious burns if our clothes were ever to catch fire.  “Stop!  Fire needs fresh air to keep burning and running only creates a wind that helps the fire spread.  Drop!  Don’t just stand there allowing the fire to consume you - get on the ground as fast as possible!  Roll!  Rolling on the ground smothers the flames by cutting off the air.”  How that fireman inspired our awe and we would go home and practice until we were black and blue from all the stoppin' and droppin' and rollin'!!

But what if I told you that God thought up that very same plan long before there were such things as firemen?  Really!  And it's in one of most familiar and beloved Bible books - Daniel.

In 606 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. attacked Jerusalem and took many Hebrews as his slaves.  Daniel, and three of his close friends were among those captured.  During their years in captivity, Nebuchadnezzar ordered a 90-foot image to be made in his likeness.  It was decreed that "As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up."  (Daniel 3:5)  Whoever did not fall down and worship was immediately thrown into a blazing furnace.

When the king was informed that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were refusing to bow to his image, he ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of his strongest soldiers to tie the three men up.  However, the furnace was so hot that when they threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the flames, the fire killed the soldiers.

 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did the only thing they could - they put the "Stop, Drop & Roll" principle into action!

First, they stopped!  They didn’t run from the problem.  They did not allow fear to dictate their faith. They boldly proclaimed that even if it meant death, they would serve no image, only the one True God.

Secondly, they dropped!  They didn’t stand there, allowing fear and doubt to devour them.  They took action and gave it to God!  They “dropped” in prayer and surrendered their will to God’s plan in the situation.

Thirdly, they rolled!  Their faith and trust in God smothered the fear and gave them the calm assurance and peace that whatever the outcome, they would be safe!!
 

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?"   They replied, "Certainly, O king."   He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!"   So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.  Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."   Daniel 3: 24-27

Are you going through a “fire” today?  Is there a situation in your life that is causing you fear and anxiety?  Are you being urged to “worship” things not of God and are tempted to compromise?

If you are, put the Stop, Drop & Roll rule into practice right now!  There is no problem, no situation that God cannot handle if we will just give it to Him.  Allow Him to put out the “fire.”  Now, there’s a “fireman” who truly deserves our awe!