Even If...

By: Jenifer Metzger

Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. We have all likely heard the retelling of their story. These three men refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue which resulted in the king throwing the men into a fiery furnace.

But before the king sent the men to their ultimate doom, he gave them one more chance to obey him.

Nebuchadnezzar asked them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego, is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship

the gold statue I have set up? Now if you’re ready, when you

hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum,

and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I

made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be

thrown into a furnace of blazing fire— and who is the god

who can rescue you from my power?”

Daniel 3:14-15 CSB

The men knew this was their last chance. They also knew if they didn't obey the king's command, they would die. They could have simply bowed down to the king when the music began and saved their lives.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the

king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you

an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists,

then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire,

and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king.

But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king

to know that we will not serve your gods or worship

the gold statue you set up.”

Daniel 3:16-18 CSB

Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego told the king that they had faith God could rescue them from death by fire. But even beyond their faith in being saved was their obedience. They told the king, "Even if He does not rescue us...we will not serve your gods." They had faith God would save them but choose to obey God whether He would save them from an earthly death or not.

Can we say that?

Can we say that we will live for God and obey Him even if He doesn't save us from earthly death or disaster? Can we say that even if God doesn't heal our illness we will still live for Him? Can we say that even if He doesn't provide that financial miracle we need we will still live for Him? Can we say that even if He doesn't rescue us from that difficult situation we will still live for Him?

We have to stop and ask ourselves a few questions. Are we wanting a healing more than the Healer? Are we wanting to be saved more than the Savior? Are we simply wanting God to move in our lives and bless us or are we wanting truly live for Him and grow in our walk with Him?

Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego knew the answers. They knew that even if God allowed their earthly lives to end, they still wanted to obey Him and live their final moments on this earth for Him. Because of their faithfulness and obedience, God saved them.

Now, God doesn't always rescue us. He still could have allowed the men to perish in the fire, then welcome them to heaven with open arms. I would imagine the men would have been just fine with that! God answers our prayers three ways: yes, no, and not yet. Sometimes God doesn't bring the healing or rescuing or saving. Sometimes we still have to face trials and brokenness. Partially because of our own mistakes that have natural consequences, partially because we live in a fallen and evil world, and partially because God is doing a work we cannot see to bring glory to His name. That is why we have to make the decision to be faithful and obedient no matter what may come.

So friend, are you ready to say "even if"?

Discussion:
1. Think of a situation in your life that you have been asking God for help with.
2. Now ask yourself the tough question. Are you wanting that answer more than God? Or do you want God no matter what His answer is?