“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.””Daniel 3:18 ESV http://bible.com/59/dan.3.18.esv
“But if not!!! This has got to be one of the most inspirational “but’s”” in the Bible. It is definitely one of my favorites.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego found themselves in a very precarious position. King Nebuchadnezzar had made a decree that whoever did not bow when the music played would be thrown into a burning fiery furnace. That time had come. The music rang loudly across the land. The Bible does not depict any other refusal, so in my imagination I see a large crowd of people. I hear this magnificent combination of musical instruments and I see crowd of people bowing down. Wait, there are three heads peaking above the crowd. How angry the King must have been. He summoned the standers. Their continual refusal to bow angered him even more. Then comes the inspirational part!!
“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”” Daniel 3:17-18 ESV http://bible.com/59/dan.3.17-18.esv
They quite plainly state God can deliver us from this fiery furnace, BUT if not we still will not bow!! What an amazing testimony of faith! They truly believed that God was in control no matter the outcome. He is on the throne. They were determined to live above their current circumstances. They did not live by what they saw, but stood on he promises of a powerful God.
What situation is in front of you today? God is already in the fire. He has already prepared a way. Trust in him. Step into that fiery furnace and believe God can save you. Above all believe that if it doesn’t work out like you have planned, he is still on the throne and in control.
Lord, let me trust you. Let me REALLY trust you. Let me trust with a “I’m going to step into this furnace no matter what” trust!!! Give me the courage and peace to face whatever outcome may be in front of me.
PS. Wanted to add some wisdom my husband imparted after reading the blog. He said that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not step into the furnace. They were thrown into the furnace. Many times in life we have no control over the circumstance we are thrown into. Those are the times when it can be hardest to place trust in God. But rather than questioning God, when it seemed very appropriate they placed their trust in him. They placed heir lives in his hands. No matter the outcome. That is raw trust. Raw faith.
That Could Preach 