If not

 

“…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 3:18 ESV

            Three brave men faced with the threat of fiery furnace that was capable of killing even mighty men who came near it, had no need to consider their actions. They were convinced that God could and would deliver them. They had seen this for themselves in the stories of their people, and first hand in the events of the previous chapters of this book. And if they who lived before were so convinced how much more so should we be?

            Now if their statement ended with those words of faith it would still be quite the statement, but they had more to say. In the fullness of faith, they are prepared to carry on in conviction even if God would not deliver them. So long as God is going to deliver, in whatever form deliverance might be conceived, us we may be quite content to hazard the flames without a second thought. But what if God isn’t going to bring us through untouched? What if God isn’t going to spare us at all?

            In these cases, there are many ways we might justify the compromise. There are reasons to go on living that sound very good, and even better if we blur the central issues. It is easy to look at the crowds, or the king, or the furnace which are all pressing realities and to live in their lesser light. These three had been living in a transcendent light of truth with their eyes firmly fixed on God. The circumstances aren’t all that important it seems.

Prayer

            Father may we know You as You are. And may we live in this light faithfully at all times. We ask this to your greater glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Songs

Jesus I my cross have taken

I have decided to follow Jesus

As long as you are glorified by Sovereign Grace Music

           

           

           

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