EVEN IF

Text :Daniel 3:18.

_But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue  you set up_ .

Let me give a bit of background information about the characters in our text. 

This is the popular story of the three Hebrew boys -Shadrach, Meschack,  and Abednego. It will interest you to know that these are not their original names, but the names given to them as slaves who will be serving within the palace of the King of Babylon. Daniel. 3:7.

Prior to their being taken captives,  these young men were  royalties from Israel. The sharp contrast in their status (i.e, moving from nobility to captivity) is enough reason for them to be bittered against God.

One additional torture that their new status carried was that they were made Eunuchs. That is, they were castrated; as this is one of the criteria that qualifies whoever will serve in the King's palace. Daniel.1:3.

Though these young men had a great commitment and unwavering loyalty towards the Lord, yet everything  seems to be working against them.  They had lost their families,  lost their lands,  lost their physical identity(their names), and worst of all,  they had lost their posterity, but they refused to lose their Faith in God. 

Now, they were at the verge of losing their lives. The only condition they were given in order to save themselves was to bow down to graven image(Daniel. 3:13-15)

At this point,  I want you to look away from these Hebrew boys and look inward at yourself. 

Has life dealt you a terrible blow?

Have you lost your loved ones,  your land or valuable possessions?

Have you lost your identity, your entitlements, your position or your self-esteem? Has life been so unfair to you? 

Well,  you are not alone. It has happened to some people in the past,  it is happening to some right now,  and as long as this earth remains,  it will still happen to many more. 

No matter what you are going through, someone somewhere had gone through same or even worse than yours. 

So, it is not so much about what you are going through, but your disposition towards it. It's a phase, not your destination. 

It is your response to your situations that matters to God.

The only thing the King of this world has to offer you is the option of bowing down to "graven image"(Worldly demands and worship). 

Without mincing words,  the three Hebrew boys looked at the king and said " O king, we are not careful to answer you in this matter. 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. 

But *EVEN IF* He does not rescue us,  we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods  or worship the gold statue you set up. Dan. 3:16-18.

What is the situation that is pushing you to worship the gold statue today? 

What is that thing or who is that person demanding you to bow down to the graven image? Can you receive Grace to look at the situation in the face and say, " EVEN IF He will not save me. Even if the money did not come. Even if answers are delayed or even denied,  I will not bow down or worship gold Statue. I will not deny my Faith even if...

I'm  sure you know how the story ended.  Our God came through for these guys on a Mega note and their God became the most referenced God in Babylon. Daniel. 3:19-30.

Whenever unpalatable situations come your way,  know that it is an avenue to showcase God to the world.

Desist from being a "give me, give me" christian, and move up to higher ground where you can say "Even if ", and  heaven will indeed fight your battles. 

Bible reading: Daniel. 3:1-30.

Prayer Points

1. Father give me grace to overcome all the challenges seeking to make me deny the Faith.

2. Lord strengthen me with might in my inner man that I may always stand in the face of trials,  temptations and persecutions.

CIA CAMPUS MOVEMENT PUBLICATION, +233241109074, +233558355977 https://hisvoicedevotional.blogspot.com