Even If

EVEN IF

"16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 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.” Daniel 3:16-18.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar, is one that many of us have heard since childhood. These three men were faithful followers of God. They refused to compromise and bow before the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had made. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego though captives in Babylon, stood in front of the most powerful man of his time and boldly proclaimed that under no circumstances would they worship the giant image of gold towering above them. Together they declared: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But EVEN IF he does not, we want you to know we will not worship the image.” (emphasis mine)

These three men were thrown into the fiery furnace; and God miraculously delivered them. They were prepared to die but their trust in God was unconditional—“even if” They knew it was possible that they would be killed for not obeying the king’s order, and yet they remained loyal to God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ready to serve God, regardless of the circumstances.

LIFE'S NOT A BOUQUET OF ROSES:

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalm 34:19.

We all go through difficulties. None is exempted! Problems are impartial. In Matthew 5:45 Jesus said, "It rains on the just and the unjust too." Being a person of faith doesn’t exempt us from the trouble of life. Every problems have a dual nature! They can either draw us closer to God or they separate us from Him. When some believers are facing trials they give up their faith in God: They stop praying, attending church, giving to the things of God, and reading Bible. But it ought not to be so! The purpose of life itself is in solving problems. Some are even going through theirs now. It may be in your marriage, business, health, ministry, relationship, job, school, or finances.

Every problem has an expiry date. Problem are transient. The Bible calls it our "light affliction". 2 Corinthians 4:17. This light affliction is but for a moment, for a short time, and then it will be gone. It's also written, "weeping may endure for a night but joy come in the morning." Psalm 30:5. No storm lasts forever, the wind will stop blowing, the battle will end, the rain will stop and your sun will shine again! Don’t give up in your trials. The night will soon be over.

“And call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 50:15.

UNCONDITIONAL FAITH!

Sometimes when circumstances are difficult, it can be tough to keep the faith. But God desires that we trust in Him—even if our prayers are not answered. We must never let our trust in God become conditional because we don't see His goodness. Faith is trusting God even when it doesn't make sense. Abraham had to wait for twenty five years before he saw Isaac. Soon afterwards God tested his faith and asked him to sacrifice his son. Abraham obeyed. He showed that he had unconditional trust. When God saw it, He was excited to reward his obedience. When you have unconditional faith in God you can never be frustrated. Faith believes in God regardless of the circumstances.

What is Unconditional Faith?

1. A faith in God that is not subject to any condition.

2. It is to trust God without limitation or reservation.

3. Unconditional faith is total faith in God.

4. It is absolute trust.

5. Unconditional faith is a complete trust in the Lord.

6. Unconditional trust is believing God when we don’t understand or see what He’s doing.

7. Unconditional trust is blind faith in God and His promises.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego trusted God unconditionally. They were committed no matter the outcome. Even if God choose not to deliver them the way they desired, they were determined to stand firm and be faithful. That is the proper attitude we should all have. It is not a matter of whether things turn out as we hope, the issue is whether we will be true to God.