Hymns: Another in the Fire

I’ve been exploring some of the very modern worship songs as an old guy 😀. But now, I’ve decided to alternate between very modern hymns, old hymns, and in-between hymns, namely the worship songs from the 60s to the 90s that feature in hymnbooks such as Mission Praise. Today it’s the turn of the very modern hymns.

Today’s song is Another in the Fire from 2018.

This is a particularly unusual hymn title. Those who know that story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, from the book of Daniel, chapter 3, will find the title a great encouragement. It emphasizes God’s presence with believers in suffering. These three Jewish believers were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. A fourth figure—interpreted as an angel or the pre-incarnate Christ—appears with them in the flames, symbolizing divine presence in suffering. As it happened, they were saved. When the king called them out, they emerged without burns, without damaged clothing, and without even the smell of smoke. This miraculous survival led Nebuchadnezzar to publicly praise their God.

But they didn’t escape having to face the trial in the first place. The theology behind the song stresses that God may not remove believers from hardship but promises to be with them in it. And of course, a day will come when we’ll no longer face any kind of trial, if we have repented and believed. The book of Revelation is a huge comfort for those on God’s side. It’s true that much of the language is symbolic, but there’s a reality behind the symbolism.

Revelation 21:4-5
 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

There will be fire in the future, but not for those who took the opportunity to repent and believe.

Matthew 25:41
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

I only need to read the title of the hymn to be encouraged. I reminds me of the Footsteps poem. Again, I only need to think of the title, even if I couldn’t remember any of the verses.

Here are some other versions of today’s hymn: