Is Your Faith Misplaced? Does faith mean we believe that God will answer our prayers exactly as we asked? Or does faith in God mean accepting His answer, whatever it is?
W
ith a stern face, the most powerful man in the known world warned the three young Jews not to disobey him. As they stood before his throne, he told them that, should they continue to refuse to worship the 90-foot image he had built, they would face a horrifying death—being burned alive in a massive furnace (Daniel 3:15). Shadrach, Meshach and AbedNego calmly refused the order of the Babylonian king, demonstrating remarkable faith in the true God. This dramatic story offers important insights into the nature of true faith.
But if not . . .
Photo: Lightstock.com
In their reply to Nebuchadnezzar, the three young Jews confirmed their belief that the God they worshipped was fully capable of delivering them from certain death (verse 17). They even expressed belief that God would deliver them. Both of these assertions refuted the king’s arrogant rhetorical question, “And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach and AbedNego followed up, however, with a startling statement: “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (verse 18). Notice the first three words: “But if not.” At first glance, the reader might wonder whether these Jews were wavering. Yet the resolute declaration
LifeHopeandTruth.com
DISCERN
13
