And If Not
The path of a disciple who follows Jesus is not always easy. We have the Holy Spirit to comfort us, the Bible to guide us, yet we still face the hardships and life struggles that all humans are subject to. We are not exempt just because we are Christian; in fact, we may face additional troubles as Satan attacks in this spiritual battle that rages all around us, since we have chosen a side.
The Bible tells a story of God-followers who were faced with what appeared to be a death sentence, unless they bowed to a pagan statue and denied the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There Hebrew names were: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We usually know them by the Babylonian names given: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
King Nebuchadnezzar had set up an image of gold, sixty cubits high (90 feet) by six cubits wide (9 feet), in the plain of Dura. A decree went out, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image the king has set up. Whoever does not shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:4-6)
But there were those who despised the Jews watching how they responded and reported to the king, “There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O King, pay no attention to you; they do not serve our gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” They are brought before the king and he questions them, even giving them a second chance. “Now if you are ready when you hear the music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good, but if you do not, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who will deliver you?”
Should they just give-in and live to fight another day? Or would that find them disloyal to the God of heaven they serve? They answered, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace; he will deliver us out of your hand. And if not, be it known to you, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image.”
The British Army is trapped at Dunkirk, the ocean behind them, the Germans surrounding them. In desperation they sent a message to Britain, “And if not.” The British people instantly understood the meaning: Even if they are not rescued from Hitler’s army, they will stand strong and fight to the end. Hundreds of private boats were launched across the English Channel to rescue the trapped soldiers.
The question becomes: Can you and I as Christians have such a faith that knows our God will save us ultimately and also know he can save us from the immediate crisis, but even if he does not, our faith is maintained based on his acts throughout history that give evidence of his grace and mercy. The words of the song Hallelujah Anyway, by Rend Collective: Even if my daylight never dawns; Even if my breakthrough never comes; Even if, I’ll fight to bring you praise; Even if my dreams fall to the ground; Even if I’m lost, I know I’m found; Even if, my heart will somehow say, Hallelujah anyway.
Question: Is your knowledge of God strong enough to face difficulties, crying out for help and yet say, “And if not”? (Read Daniel 3 to gain the whole story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.)
The Bible tells a story of God-followers who were faced with what appeared to be a death sentence, unless they bowed to a pagan statue and denied the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There Hebrew names were: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We usually know them by the Babylonian names given: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
King Nebuchadnezzar had set up an image of gold, sixty cubits high (90 feet) by six cubits wide (9 feet), in the plain of Dura. A decree went out, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image the king has set up. Whoever does not shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:4-6)
But there were those who despised the Jews watching how they responded and reported to the king, “There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O King, pay no attention to you; they do not serve our gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” They are brought before the king and he questions them, even giving them a second chance. “Now if you are ready when you hear the music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good, but if you do not, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who will deliver you?”
Should they just give-in and live to fight another day? Or would that find them disloyal to the God of heaven they serve? They answered, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace; he will deliver us out of your hand. And if not, be it known to you, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image.”
The British Army is trapped at Dunkirk, the ocean behind them, the Germans surrounding them. In desperation they sent a message to Britain, “And if not.” The British people instantly understood the meaning: Even if they are not rescued from Hitler’s army, they will stand strong and fight to the end. Hundreds of private boats were launched across the English Channel to rescue the trapped soldiers.
The question becomes: Can you and I as Christians have such a faith that knows our God will save us ultimately and also know he can save us from the immediate crisis, but even if he does not, our faith is maintained based on his acts throughout history that give evidence of his grace and mercy. The words of the song Hallelujah Anyway, by Rend Collective: Even if my daylight never dawns; Even if my breakthrough never comes; Even if, I’ll fight to bring you praise; Even if my dreams fall to the ground; Even if I’m lost, I know I’m found; Even if, my heart will somehow say, Hallelujah anyway.
Question: Is your knowledge of God strong enough to face difficulties, crying out for help and yet say, “And if not”? (Read Daniel 3 to gain the whole story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.)
Posted in Waking Up Eutychus