Guest Post: Mike Kilbane
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 story of the fiery furnace is remarkable on many levels, but to me the biggest element is the strength of the three men’s faith. They clearly recognized God was able to save them, but admitted that He might not. Their obedience was not predicated on God’s behavior, it was founded on a belief of who He was. Their faith was based on who God was, not what He did. I began thinking about the implications if God had decided to save anyone who would be a martyr. Where would faith be then? If we stood up for God under penalty of death knowing that He would protect us, it would be a “get out of jail free” card, not faith. True faith is the “Even If” kind of faith. The type of faith that says, I’m going to get out of the boat and follow God. Even if things don’t work out how I planned them, they’re going to work out for God’s will, and that’s good enough for me.
brandon hatmaker 