It was a ruthless time. Daniel’s three friends—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—were threatened with death. If they didn’t bow down to the king’s statue they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. 

The king gave them one last chance—bow or burn.

In response, this is what the young men said: “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 3:17-18).

Wow. They would rather die faithfully than live falsely.

The king flew into a rage and flung them into the flames. But God rescued them.

Today’s focus is on the bravery of those three young men. When I look at their words, two of them stand out. “Even if.” They would put God first and remain true if God rescued them, and EVEN IF he didn’t. 

In doing this, they showed that their devotion to God was unconditional, not conditional.

Can we say the same? 

Will we put God first and remain true even if it costs us? 

Will we put God first and remain true even if we get cancelled by our culture?  

Will we put God first and remain true even if it makes us unpopular? 

Will we put God first and remain true even if it jeopardizes our income? 

Will we put God first and remain true even if it’s dangerous? 

Will we put God first and remain true even if it will radically change our lives?

With God’s help, let’s commit to an “even if” kind of faith.

Notes:

-“The ‘Even If’ Faith of the Fiery Furnace.” Click here. Sermon.
-Bible quotes are from the NIV.