Good Morning Friends,
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to
the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in
this matter. 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. 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.’” (Daniel 3:16-18)
The edict had been enacted as law -- everyone
was to bow and worship the image that the king had set up. But, because they
were committed to being faithful to God, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, could not
worship the image. They were brought before the king to answer for their
disobedience and this was their answer.
For me, the key words in their answer to the
king are these: “even if he does not.” They obeyed God and they trusted Him.
They knew He was able to save them from whatever punishment the king gave to
them -- even the blazing furnace. Nothing was too difficult for their God!
But whether God chose to rescue them or not
would not affect their obedience to Him. If He rescued them, they would
continue to serve Him. If He allowed them to die in the furnace, they would not
renounce Him. They were committed to Him, no matter what.
A year before
our daughter, Becky, died in a car accident, our older daughter, Kristin, was
also in a car wreck. The wreck was serious, but neither she nor her children
were injured. Here is what Becky posted on Facebook following Kristin’s
accident: “Becky Coon is praising God that the
message was … ‘I rolled the Jeep but everyone’s fine’ instead of … ‘I’m sorry
but your sister rolled the Jeep, the kids were with her, and they’re all
gone’. Words can’t even express ...” Then Becky
continued … “It is so true that had the
outcome been the opposite God would still be in control, and would still be
GOOD … even if we struggled to believe that for a while.”
A
year later Becky’s accident resulted in her death. But God was God when Kristin
was okay from her wreck and God was God when Becky died in hers.
God can heal you -- but will you serve Him
“even if He does not?”
God can provide for you financially -- but
will you serve Him “even if He does not?”
God can bring a life partner to you -- but
will you serve Him “even if He does not?”
God can protect you from danger and harm –
but will you serve Him “even if He does not?”
What is your most important prayer request
right now? Will you serve Him, even if He says “no?”
His, by Grace,
Steve
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