Faith Is Strengthened Through Testing Week 4

Daniel 3:16–18

Daniel 3:3 - Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel 3:16 - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Daniel 3:17 - If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

Daniel 3:18 - But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Our God whom we serve is able,but if not.

The three Hebrew boys stand before Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace.

This is exilic faith, a faith away from home, away from the temple, and away from tradition.

True faith says:

God can

God will

But even if He doesn’t, I still trust Him.

Watch this Faith that depends on outcomes is conditional.

But a true Biblical faith is unshakable.

In other words, if he does He’s able.

But if he doesn’t do it, I Still trust Him, and I will proclaim that he is able.

So here is the story:

Three Hebrew young men.

One imperial threat.

One furnace.

And one of the boldest declarations of faith in Scripture.

So, we have the courage of their opening statement.

In essence, what they were saying is, we have no need to answer you in this matter.”

This is not disrespect.

This is settled conviction.

They are not debating.

They are not negotiating.

They are not buying time.

The Aramaic tone suggests: We are not anxious about this.

That’s powerful.

When conviction is settled internally, pressure externally loses its leverage.

They weren’t scrambling for a clever defense. They already knew who they were before the music played.

Faith that waits until crisis to decide what the answer is going to be will crumble every time. Faith that’s decided beforehand stands calm even in the front of a furnace.

We must understand that their theology is correct God is able.

Our God whom we serve is able.

Notice what they affirm first:

Not deliverance.

Not safety.

Not outcome.

They affirm God’s ability.

This is sovereignty language.

They do not say that God will stop this.

They did not say that God wouldn’t let this happen.

They don’t even say that God owes us rescue. All they say is:

He is able.

That’s a mature theology.

Faith is not built on what God does.

Faith is built on who God is.

And notice: Our God whom we serve.

They define themselves by service, not survival.

True faith does not exaggerate promises. It simply anchors itself in God’s power.

They had confidence, they said HE WILL DELIVER US”

Now this line is interesting. And He will deliver us out of your hand.

Notice what they don’t specify.

They don’t say:

He will deliver us from the furnace.

They say:

He will deliver us from your hand.

That can mean:

He’ll rescue us now.

Or He’ll resurrect us later.

Or He’ll vindicate us eternally.

Either way, Nebuchadnezzar does not get the final word.

This is a kingdom perspective.

You see deliverance isn’t always escape,sometimes it’s transcendence.

THE MOST POWERFUL WORD IN THE PASSAGE

But if not.

Whew.

That right there is grown faith.

But if not, is where shallow faith quits and walk away.

This is not doubt.

This is not hesitation.

This is unconditional allegiance.

They are saying: God is able. We believe He will. But even if He does not.

Their obedience is not contingent upon outcome.

They refuse transactional worship.

They will not bow:

For protection.

For political favor. Or even for survival.

This is covenant loyalty.

THE REAL BATTLE WAS NEVER ABOUT FIRE

It was about allegiance.

Nebuchadnezzar built a 90-foot image.

That’s political theology.

That’s forced worship.

That’s pressure.

Bow and live.

Stand and burn.

Sound familiar?

Empire says:

Compromise and keep your position.

Blend in and keep your comfort.

Bend just a little.

But these young men refuse cultural conformity.

They were in Babylon physically, but Babylon was not in them spiritually.

May I tell you that faith is tested not when you’re home, but when you’re surrounded by none believers, and none followers.

Here is the STRUCTURE OF THEIR FAITH (It’s Beautiful)

Their statement follows a progression:

1. We are not anxious.

2. God is able.

3. God will deliver.

4. Even if not, we will not bow.

That’s spiritual architecture.

Calmness.

Confidence.

Expectation.

Unconditional loyalty.

That is furnace-proof faith.