One of my favorite childhood Bible stories was that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the fiery furnace. Do you remember that one? Three Israelites who have been sent into exile are caught not worshiping a golden image set up by Nebuchadnezzar, and they are sentenced to death in the fiery furnace. But God rescues them and they come out without a burn mark or even the smell of smoke on their clothes. God shows Himself victorious and a champion of His people in the face of false gods.
It is a great story of victory, of faith in God, and of courage in an oppressive culture. And that is what I remember from my childhood flannelgraph Bible lessons. God's people obeyed and God showed up and saved them. Yea!
But there is another lesson, a deeper one for me, tucked into Daniel chapter 3, verses 17-18, that I want to share with you this holiday season.
It is a great story of victory, of faith in God, and of courage in an oppressive culture. And that is what I remember from my childhood flannelgraph Bible lessons. God's people obeyed and God showed up and saved them. Yea!
But there is another lesson, a deeper one for me, tucked into Daniel chapter 3, verses 17-18, that I want to share with you this holiday season.
Just before throwing them into the furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar gives them one more chance to worship his golden image "or else" and mocks their God's ability to rescue them. This is their response:
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.” (Daniel 3:16-18, NIV)
They knew God was able to deliver them. He had the power.
They even seemed fairly confident that He would deliver them. It just seemed like the kind of thing he would do.
But they did not presume upon His mercy. And they were very clear with the king that they were not worshiping him just because they believed he was on their side or would keep them safe. Because "even if he does not", they would still not turn to false gods in an effort to save their own skin.
That is the kind of faith followers of Jesus need to have. That's the kind of faith I want to have.
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.” (Daniel 3:16-18, NIV)
They knew God was able to deliver them. He had the power.
They even seemed fairly confident that He would deliver them. It just seemed like the kind of thing he would do.
But they did not presume upon His mercy. And they were very clear with the king that they were not worshiping him just because they believed he was on their side or would keep them safe. Because "even if he does not", they would still not turn to false gods in an effort to save their own skin.
That is the kind of faith followers of Jesus need to have. That's the kind of faith I want to have.
It's a faith that says God can heal me or my loved one,
but even if he does not, I will still praise him.
It's a faith that says God can bring me a job,
but even if he does not, he is worth worshiping.
It's a faith that says God is powerful enough to overcome infertility and pregnancy loss,
but even if he does not, I will trust in His love.
It's a faith that does not ignore pain and suffering,
but looks it in the eye and refuses to let it bully you into turning away from God.
It's a faith that does not "name it and claim it",
but names God and claims Him as your greatest good.
It's a faith that worries more about being on God's side than about Him being on yours.
It's a faith that only God can give us. It's a faith He gave Mary when she said, "I am the Lord's servant" (Luke 1:38). It's a faith that Paul expressed when he boldly proclaimed to another king many years later, "Short time or long -- I pray to God that not only you but all you are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains" (Acts 26:29).
It's a faith that knows that God Himself is our greatest treasure,
that the Giver is greater than any gift He could give us,
and that life with Him, whatever it holds, is infinitely better than life without Him.
but even if he does not, I will still praise him.
It's a faith that says God can bring me a job,
but even if he does not, he is worth worshiping.
It's a faith that says God is powerful enough to overcome infertility and pregnancy loss,
but even if he does not, I will trust in His love.
It's a faith that does not ignore pain and suffering,
but looks it in the eye and refuses to let it bully you into turning away from God.
It's a faith that does not "name it and claim it",
but names God and claims Him as your greatest good.
It's a faith that worries more about being on God's side than about Him being on yours.
It's a faith that only God can give us. It's a faith He gave Mary when she said, "I am the Lord's servant" (Luke 1:38). It's a faith that Paul expressed when he boldly proclaimed to another king many years later, "Short time or long -- I pray to God that not only you but all you are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains" (Acts 26:29).
It's a faith that knows that God Himself is our greatest treasure,
that the Giver is greater than any gift He could give us,
and that life with Him, whatever it holds, is infinitely better than life without Him.
Are you going into the holiday season praying for your own Christmas miracle? Are you beginning to doubt His love because He doesn't seem to be answering (as I did many times in the wake of yet another baby lost)?
Even if He does not.
He loves you, dear one. The proof is not in your circumstances changing or your dreams coming true. It is in the manger of Christmas, the cross of Good Friday, and the empty tomb of the resurrection.
Even if He does not.
Let the conviction of those five words rule your heart and your mind today and everyday. And find strength in that conviction for all of your tomorrows, whatever they hold.
Even if He does not.
Even if He does not.
He loves you, dear one. The proof is not in your circumstances changing or your dreams coming true. It is in the manger of Christmas, the cross of Good Friday, and the empty tomb of the resurrection.
Even if He does not.
Let the conviction of those five words rule your heart and your mind today and everyday. And find strength in that conviction for all of your tomorrows, whatever they hold.
Even if He does not.
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