But Even If ? Daniel 3:16-18, 28-30 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. 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 kings 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. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. We are all familiar with the account of the the three children of Israel who, because they refused to worship the huge golden image that the king of Babylon had erected, were thrown into and protected in the fiery furnace. As powerful and impactful this incident was, I wish to draw our attention to a declaration that they made to the king, particularly the last part of it, If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it…But even if he does not… What faith! These men refused to compromise their faith in the true and living God, even to the point of death. These were men who refused to bow their knees to the way of the world. While we truly believe even today that God is able to save His children we must be mindful of the fact that God sometimes uses us in our circumstances to bring others to a true knowledge of Himself and His will. Note the end result of the unshakeable faith of these men. After witnessing their supernatural protection the king changed his thinking and gave a decree throughout his realm, respecting the true God of Israel. We believe today that our God is still able to save, protect and to heal us, but even if He does not, can we say that our faith is as strong and steadfast as these men? Do we believe as these men did, that death has no power over Gods people? That there is a far better place awaiting the faithful? Do we believe that God can use our circumstances, however desperate it may seem, to bring about salvation and faith in others as they witness our trust in Him? Are we able to follow the example of these men and others who were unwilling to compromise and what of the greatest example of all, even our Lord Jesus Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…?(Hebrews 12:2) Yes, our God is able to save, to heal, to protect and deliver, but even if…? <
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 16:42:26 +0000
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