SCRIPTURE:
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.””
Daniel 3:16-18 NASB1995
OBSERVATION:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not just have an ordinary faith; they had an “even-if” faith.
When Nebuchadnezzar decreed that all people were to fall down and worship Him, they challenged him. Despite the impending fatal punishment, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego still refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar because God had the entirety of their hearts. They were not operating on human logic or strategy to survive; they wholeheartedly trusted God and put Him first above all things––including their own reason or will to survive.
Rather than submit to the human power and authority of Nebuchadnezzar, they submitted to the ultimate power and authority of God Himself. They did not bow to Nebuchadnezzar; they stood for God. They said “God is able to deliver us…but EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, we will still worship Him.” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not doubt God’s power, but they also did not presume to know God’s will. They simply trusted and obeyed.
And because of their great faith, their lives became vessels for God’s glory. They became testimonies of God’s provision, sovereignty, and power, so much so that Nebuchadnezzar and those under his rule came to know and worship the Lord.
APPLICATION:
What great things God can do with an “even-if” faith––a faith that knows God’s power and submits to Him against all odds, no matter the cost, because it knows that God is always good and He always keeps His promises. While I wish I always had a faith like this, if I’m honest, many times I don’t. I let my own logic and will surpass my faith in the only God who is greater than all these things. I lean not on God’s understanding, but rather, on my own understanding, and because I do so, I find myself on unstraight paths. I desire to always have an “even-if” faith, but in order to do so, I will need to be battle-tested. This kind of faith comes not simply from waking up in the morning and operating as-usual; this kind of faith comes at a cost––it only comes through testing.
As James 1:3-4 says, “the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” As God allows my faith to be tested, I will continue to remember His goodness, His character, and His heart and remember that He can do anything…but even if He does not, He is still good, and He will always turn everything around for good because He is always faithful to His promises.
PRAYER:
Lord,
Thank you that You love me so much that You allow me to be battle tested. When I am tested, be my strength. Help me to overcome the weakness of my flesh and allow me to discover the victory that is only found in You. You can do all things and you are greater than any problem that comes my way. God, would you make Your glory known…and even if you do not, still I will worship You.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
