Faith That Speaks: Even If... We Will Not

I love my new printed T-shirt that says, Even if – Daniel 3:18.

As I was thinking about the faithful trio Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their story found in Daniel 3:1–30 (NIV), these words stood out to me: “Even if . . . we will not.”

I’ll pick up the story from Daniel 3:8-12:

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

First, notice that they remained faithful to God by refusing to serve or worship other gods or idols.

Let’s continue with verses 13-15:

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Now we see their faith being threatened with death.

Read their response in verses 16-18:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But EVEN IF he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that WE WILL NOT serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Isn’t it our human nature to defend ourselves? Amazingly, they chose not to. Instead, they spoke what they knew to be true:

·       God is their defender.

·       God is able.

·       God can deliver them.

·       EVEN IF He does not, WE WILL NOT serve other gods.

That is bold faith and obedience to God.

That led me to ask myself: Is my faith bold enough?

 I’ve had a firearm pointed at me for trying to do the right thing. I stood my ground, and the outcome was in my favor.

I truly believe a new season is upon us and that God is calling us to step up in faith. Some circumstances may require that same kind of response: “Even if . . . I will not.”

Let’s finish with Daniel 3:24-25. After an angry Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound and thrown into the fire.

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, Your Majesty."

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.”

As we step up in faith, we will have opportunities to stand firm. The choice will be ours.

We may not have faithful friends standing beside us like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did, but we are never standing alone.

We belong to an even greater trio: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

And when we find ourselves walking through the fire, we can remember that God is with us. Like the fourth person in the furnace, we can walk through the flames knowing we are in His presence, under His protection, and never alone.

So when our faith is tested, may we have the courage to say:

Even if . . . I will not bow.

Even if . . . I will not compromise.

Even if . . . I will not turn away from God.

That is faith that speaks.