Even If He Doesn’t
I have been studying the book of Daniel recently and have been blown away at the faith of Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abed-Nego). As I sat processing the first few chapters, I felt the Lord moving in my spirit and inviting me to deeper revelation of what it means to trust Him, no strings attached. If you are unfamiliar with this story, let me give you a quick synopsis…
King Nebuchadnezzar built an image of gold and held a dedication ceremony. He proclaimed that when the people heard the sound of a symphony of music, that all must fall down and worship this gold image. He said anyone that did not, would be thrown into a burning fiery furnace. When the sound was released, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped this image as they were told. However, the 3 Hebrew boys would not bow. They didn’t make a big, formal protest to publicly denounce this act, but they also didn’t hide. They remained obedient to their God. The King was furious and demanded to know why they didn’t bow down to worship this image he had set up. There was pressure being put on them to compromise, yet God was so much more real to them than any threat that could be made to them. They had all the confidence in the world that God would deliver them from the hand of evil, but stood firm proclaiming, EVEN IF HE DOESN’T, we still won’t bow to your gods, or worship your gold image.
This struck me so deeply. I sat for a moment envisioning myself in this 6th century moment, standing before an angry king, standing in the midst of everyone else in the kingdom that followed the rules, but remaining obedient to what I knew God was asking me to do. Would I be so brave? Would I have faith enough to know that regardless of the outcome, the reward would be so much greater than the risk? Would you?
I love the power of the words, “He will deliver us from your hand, O king, but EVEN IF HE DOESN’T….” They knew the power of God, but they also knew even if God didn’t do what they hoped or expected Him to do, they had to do what they knew in their hearts to be right. They did not doubt God’s ability, but they didn’t presume to know God’s will. They boldly proclaimed to the king, “let it be known to you, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” They were able to say this with such great faith because they already had a foundation of trust with God. He had blessed their obedience in smaller things, so there was no room to doubt that He would bless them again in an even riskier moment of obedience. And as we continue reading, we see that He does exactly that.
The king was so angry, that he commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than normal. He had the boys bound up, fully clothed, and cast into the fiery furnace. The fire was so hot that it killed the men that threw them into the furnace. Then the king was astonished as he looked and saw not only these three boys walking around loosed and unharmed, but there was a fourth man in the fire with them. God was there every step of the way. They were able to walk out of that furnace with not a hair singed, garments affected, or even the smell of fire on their clothes. By the end of this chapter king Nebuchadnezzar declared that no other God could deliver like this, and he promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province. This is what being completely yielded, fully surrendered to the power and will of God looks like. What the enemy tried to bring against them, God used to turn it around in their favor.
Sometimes, like in this powerful story, we get to see the victory, and get the reward here on earth. But there’s also times where we pray and believe, or we step out in obedience, and we don’t get the outcome we were expecting. What is your response in these moments? Is it like the 3 Hebrew boys, that even if God doesn’t do what you are believing Him for, you will still trust that God is good and faithful, continuing to serve Him? Or if you do a quick self-evaluation is your heart postured in a way that only believes God is good when He answers your prayers? God is looking for people who are completely yielded, completely sold out to Him, trusting that He knows best, trusting that He will work ALL things together for the good of those who serve Him (Romans 8:28). I want to encourage you today to have that “Even if He doesn’t….” mentality. That no matter what, you will stand firm and be unwavering in your faith. Pray fervently and stand firm in your beliefs, not backing down from what you know is right, giving God your absolute yes. No matter the outcome, He will be with you every step of the way.