In yesterday’s devotional we talked about having an “even if” kind of faith. This was based on the words of Daniel’s three friends. They were told to bow down to the king’s statue. If they didn’t, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. They had two options: Bow or burn. But they said No. 

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,” they said, “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).

My suggestion is that we start living this way by starting small.

Based on what we see in the Bible, these three men were simply doing what they had always done (albeit on a much bigger and more dangerous scale). As they grew, they would have learned to pray, recite Scripture, go to the Temple, care for neighbours, be different, and remain true to God. When they went before the king they simply did what they had always done. 

Imagine a 10-year-old girl who has become amazing on the piano. She has never played for anyone before. But she gets invited to perform in front of 5000 people. On the day of the concert, she backs out. She’s just too nervous.

But imagine if she had played for her grandparents when they came to visit, and then her class at Christmas, and then for the church at Thanksgiving. Would she be nervous on the day of the concert? Sure. But since she had previously played for others, it would be less of a jump. She would have had practice. ‘There’s more people, but I can do this!’

So it is when we are called upon to be faithful in big moments. It helps if we have had practice in the smaller moments, like when we are talking to friends or family members, and when we are making daily decisions and setting priorities.

Let’s put God first and remain true in the smaller moments we experience. When we do, it will feel more natural to do so when things become difficult or even dangerous. Why? Because it’s what we have always done.

Today, let’s prepare for the big moments by starting small.

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Notes:

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-“The ‘Even If’ Faith of the Fiery Furnace.” Click here. Sermon.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.