Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
These three young men provide a sterling example of faith and trust in the face of death. Note that these young men did not say, “Our God is able to keep us from being thrown into the blazing furnace.” They did not say that He would keep them from the trial. They believed he would rescue them if they were thrown into the furnace – and He did. BUT, what they went on to say is priceless because their faith was not predicated on God rescuing them.
They declared, “But even if He does not (rescue us),…we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold…” They chose to be faithful to their God – even if it cost their lives.
Many of us have faced or are currently facing trials or situations that range from serious to seemingly insurmountable including the coronavirus. What has been – or is our response? How is it actually expressing our faith in God? Might someone conclude from observing our response that we feel abandoned or betrayed by our God? Or might they conclude that our response simply doesn’t reflect any faith in Him.
In the face of death, they proclaimed they would be faithful to their God. Think about this in the “fiery” trials that we face. We can communicate this same truth. In the midst of difficult situations we can declare, “Our God is able to heal, provide, deliver, rescue, answer, communicate, set free …..BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T, we are not going to murmur or grumble or complain.” No matter what happens, we are going to stand with Him.
It is so important to remember that in every test we find ourselves, we have the opportunity to faithfully respond in a way that honors and glorifies Him.
Don's Devotionals: Learning to love God 