Even if You Don't
Smells of formaldehyde, Oscar, the giant fish, and Neth, the snake greeted us each morning as we entered Mr. H’s first-period science class. Only knowing a handful of students, I carefully selected my front row companion based on the location near a friend from church. Our seating arrangement determined the very first day for the entire sophomore year, made this decision seem like life or death to a socially awkward teen in a new school.
Like most Biology curriculum, the year was filled with frog dissection, examining the breakdown and structure of living things.
This particular class also included a group of students positioned in the back of the room who heckled the teacher and made daily mocking of my friends and me a sport. Ryan, (spoiler alert, the man I would someday marry) the friend I had chosen to sit across from; was among the group from church who also endured the daily ridicule.
Early on in the year, we decided our response would include kindness rather than comebacks or retaliation. This was increasingly difficult as it seemed the groups’ ring leader was singling us out, insulting our faith in God. We continued to pray, asking God for a way out, hoping that in time the matter would eventually resolve.
In Daniel, we read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who have been taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Their faith continually tested throughout the text by the customs and traditions of a pagan culture.
Daniel chapter 3 recounts the narrative of the blazing furnace, where once again these devoted followers of God are challenged by a royal decree to bow and worship a golden image set-up by the King.
King Nebuchadnezzar boldly requires leaders from all across the province to come and bow down, paying homage to a statue, many scholars believe was made in his very image. The response of Daniel’s three friends to his royal proclamation shocked and angered the king. He declared they be brought before him for questioning.
Because of their station within the province, he allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego a second chance to respond appropriately to his request.
“I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
(Daniel 3:15-18, NLT)
“WOW!!” Can you imagine having the kind of faith, that says… “I know my God is able to save me, but even if he doesn’t…”
If we continue reading the passage, God does in fact, deliver his servants and even King Nebuchadnezzar is compelled to praise the one whom they serve.
What can we take away from their demonstration of faith that will help us as we seek to develop a lifestyle of worship?
Our Faith leads to Commitment
Throughout their time in Babylon, Daniel and his friends remained faithful to all God had requested of them. From first encounters with the king, they stood firm, demonstrating a commitment to the Lord. (Daniel 1)
Commitment is defined as the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause. When we come to the saving knowledge of Christ, we take those first steps of commitment. We are setting ourselves apart from the world and choosing to be dedicated to the cause of Christ.
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Our Faith leads to Obedience
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are faced with certain death by not bowing down to the golden idol. However, because of their station within the royal guard, they are given a second chance to once again comply with the king's decree or remain faithful to God.
The Bible isn’t clear whether they took a time-out to converse on the matter before replying but it seems as though their decision was without hesitation or pause. (Daniel 3:15-18)
For many, the idea of obedience is a sticking point, because we rely so heavily on self. The idea of submission whether it be to God, our spouse, a boss, or parents, brings about a negative response.
As followers of Christ, however, we are called to live righteously through obedience.
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2:1-6 NLT)
Our Faith Leads to Hope
Finally, we see the unwavering belief that Almighty God had the ability to save these men of faith from the furnace. Regardless of the outcome, they held fast to their worship of the one true God.
Although the circumstances we face may not lead to a literal furnace, we often feel the weight knowing the outcome will inevitably affect our lives. It is in these moments we have a choice to make. We can allow our situation to dictate our response or simply focus on the giver of all hope-the author and perfecter of our faith to sustain us in the midst, regardless of the outcome.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4, NLT)
“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your HOPE in the Lord!” (Psalm 31:24 NLT)
As sophomore year came to a close, Ryan was scheduled to lead games during a Sunday evening youth event at church. I could see the look of concern in his eyes as I brought a young man toward him while he was wrapping up on stage. It was the ring leader of the group from our Biology class and Ryan feared he had come that evening to challenge our efforts in spreading the message during this particular outreach event.
As we approached, Ryan’s look became puzzled as a smile broke out on the young man’s face and he asked our forgiveness. He said he had recently accepted the Lord and wanted us to be the first to know of his decision. He then went on to thank us for our kindness during the class in the midst of his taunts.
To this day, we remain humbled that God chose to use our simple act of compassion to aid in his story of life change.
How does God want to grow your faith, dear reader? Do you need to declare a “But even if he doesn’t…” type of hope?
Heavenly Father, I lift up each precious reader, asking you to intervene in our lives in a mighty way today. May we embrace a new level of commitment and obedience through faith as we seek to grow. Thank you in advance for helping us look only to you as our source of hope as we develop a “But Even,” type of faith. Lord, we love you and praise you! Amen
(Message Points shared during Daniel 3 “Even If” Sermon, Pastor Ryan Brooks)
