If Not...

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 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 3:16-18)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with an intense decision: worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol or be thrown into a fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar lays this decision before them, closing out his command by undermining their God, saying, “And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” (Dn. 3:15). For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the answer was so obvious to them that they almost didn’t even need to answer! They said, “Our God is able to deliver, our God will deliver, but even if he doesn’t deliver, we still will not worship your god” (Dn. 3:18).

What a strong confidence in God’s ability and willingness to save, and confidence in his worthiness of praise even if he chose not to spare them in this!

As the story goes, God did rescue them. He stood in the fire with them and they went unharmed.When challenges to our faith or devotion come, when our God’s goodness or ability is called into question, we may go on the defensive and argue as though God needs our help. Or we may begin to doubt and question his ability and goodness. But God is able to renew and restore our confidence and trust in him. With his help, we can say, “God doesn’t need my help or for me to answer him. I believe that he can deliver me. I am confident that in time he will deliver me. But even if he doesn’t, I still believe he is good and worthy of praise.”

May he renew and restore our confidence in him in all circumstances!