Even If He Does Not

Daniel 3:16-18, NIV
“16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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.’"


The U.S. economic recession, scandal, and the world’s melamine concerns bring worry and anxiety. When Christians face a crisis, how do we cope with it? Daniel's three friends were prisoners of war in Babylon, but they became officers and lived a prosperous life. Then a sudden crisis came upon them. However, they turned the crisis into an opportunity. We can learn four lessons through Daniel's three friends.

1. Trials that come to believers (Da 3:1-12).
Trials come even to those who serve God faithfully, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. God gives trials to His children to use them more greatly by training their faith or as a whip of love to turn them away from their lukewarm faith. As a result of trials, we gain strong faith like fine gold. Therefore, when trials come, we should think of why we have trials and repent before the Lord of any sin in our lives. We should move forward with our eyes fixed only on the Lord (Ps 18:1-3).

2. The faith of “even if he does not” (Da 3:13-18).
In the face of threats to be thrown into a blazing furnace unless they worshiped the image of gold, they confessed their faith in God. They said, "Even if God does not save us from the fire, we will depend on God alone" (Da 3:16-18). When we face trouble, we must confess our faith in the power of the Lord (Mk 9:23). We must advance with absolute faith and determine to sacrifice our life for the glory of the Lord whether we live or die (Mt 6:33). Then the Lord will bless us spiritually, mentally, and physically.

3. The fourth person (Da 3:25).
There was a fourth person next to the three who were thrown into the blazing furnace. He is Jesus Christ our Savior. Jesus Christ is always with believers (Heb 13:8; Isa 43:1-2). No matter what trials we may have such as sorrow, loneliness, worry, or anxiety, regardless of our problem, He is with us and always protects us. He encourages and comforts us so that we may be victorious in all our trials.

4. Blessings that come to believers (Da 3:25).
A miracle was performed in that the three who were thrown into the fire were unshackled and a fourth person accompanied them. When we overcome trials, all bondage such as anxiety, concern, worry, and uneasiness will disappear. If we depend on the Lord alone in our trials, He will perform a miracle so that we can experience the living Lord. He never lets us suffer loss in our lives. He will use us even more greatly (Jn 16:33).

Do not look at the world and circumstances. Trust in God and march forward in faith with eyes fixed only on Jesus, depending on the Holy Spirit. Then miracles and blessings will be ours.