But If Not

You may know the story. Three Hebrew boys, renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, in service to the Babylonian King, refused to bow to him. They were from the tribe of Judah and had been taken captive by the Babylonians. In order to make prisoners even more submissive to the powers that be, they were often renamed, to strip away their former identities and reinforce allegiance to their captors.

But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when asked to kneel before the golden image the king had made of himself, to bow before it in worship, refused. Knowing the fate that would be theirs if they refused the king’s command, they stood fast. Knowing they would be thrown into the fiery furnace, they said they knew God could deliver them. They knew He could, but would He?

The second part of their statement is just as important as the first. They expressed their trust in God to deliver them, and then said these words, “But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

They knew God had the power, knew he had done great and mighty things for and through their people in the past. They knew he could, but would He do it for them, in this moment, in this time? That was the question, and they were willing to stand in the great unknown.

Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation. You believe God can do all things, but you are not sure if He will. Maybe that prayer you have prayed for years for a child or loved one seems to go unanswered. We know He has the power, we know He can, but will He? Maybe you even find it easier to believe God’s promises for someone else than for yourself, for your situation.

But are we willing to trust Him, even when the outcome is unknown?

The three boys in the story trusted and were in fact delivered. But first they were thrown in the fire – they had to walk through fear and doubt, but there was someone else with them. Jesus was beside them in the fire, with them every step. And when they came out of the fire unharmed, it was a testimony to God’s power and goodness.

The king saw the goodness of God, because they were willing to say, “But if not…”

But if not, we worship. But if not, we trust Him. But if not, He is still good.