An Even If Faith

Daniel 3:17-18

“ 17 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. 18 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.”

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Living in a culture saturated with individuals fulfillig desires of the self, we have been trained to expect favorable answers to our requests. Unfortunately, myself, along with other Christians, often unconsciously carry these beliefs into our conversations with the Lord, becoming angry when His answer fails to align with the future we planned. When trials and challenges appear, this demanding behavior frequently becomes exaggerated. Believing in the limitless nature of God’s power and sovereignty, we begin wondering why a good God chooses to say no to saving a life or preventing mass destruction and tragedy in the lives of people He supposedly loves.

For many Christians, childhood stories and sermons serve to build the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as seen in Daniel 3:17, which proclaims the powerful nature of God. Though seasons of doubt naturally present themselves, His movement in our lives and throughout Scripture easily reminds us of the ever present help and undeniable omnipotence of the God we serve. Rightly, this unshakable belief in who God is should characterize the faith carried throughout our lives. However, when a fiery furnaces actually loom before us, we struggle to cling to this truth, let alone display the greater faith portrayed in verse 18. Here they take their faith further, maintaining that God is fully able and willing to answer their cries for help, but that even if He denies their request, His refusal in no way lessens their faith, or negates His supremacy or goodness.

Throughout my illnesses these past years I often prayed for healing and believed it would come, however, I was easily frustrated when circumstances worsened. Imagine if I had embraced the immense faith of these men. The strength of their faith did not rest on the changing circumstances or consequences of God’s answer, but in the character of God alone. In the face of death, this even if faith allowed their firm defense of and belief in His saving hand regardless of the blazing furnace. Whatever the result, they knew God was good, and therefore His plan for their life was good.

And though our commitment to this faith fails to guarantee safety and peace, or rescuing as was seen in this Old Testament story, it allows God to reveal Himself to us and to others through His work in our lives. How evident would God become if we constantly trusted and praised His goodness and power, even when He allows us to pass through the fire, rather than resorting to doubt, frustration, or self-serving measures?

With a new year, myself, along with all of you, will face new challenges and hardships. But my goal is to continue developing an even if faith founded in the incredible Savior of the world no matter what.