“Even if God Doesn’t…”

“Even if God doesn’t…” – four words that can be both a statement of faith and a declaration of trust. This is a popular experience we have read and heard a countless number of times from the Holy scriptures (Daniel 3). But what exactly does this mean for us today? In an era where God is treated like an ATM machine, is there a place for such a declaration? Let us first break this down, and then you can reassess your life to know if you can boldly make this statement.

When we say “even if,” we’re acknowledging that God is sovereign, and His ways are not our ways. We’re choosing to trust Him, even when the outcome is uncertain. These three men said, “God is able to…” and not “God will…” deliver us from the burning furnace. They knew the power and ability of God but went forward to acknowledge His sovereignty -Gods power and authority. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith was rooted in God’s character, not in guarantees or specific outcomes. They knew that God could deliver them, but they also knew that He might not. Their trust was in His goodness, wisdom, and love. Is your faith in God based on outcomes?

Living with an “even if” kind of faith is submitting to God’s will for you instead of the outcome of your desires and wishes. In a dispensation where we only want to “name it, claim it, and take it”, do we really fully submit to God’s will? How is God saying “No” leading you to be depressed? How is His saying no, causing you to seek other ways to get that which you desire? Is that what submitting to God as your Lord means?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s story challenges us to examine our own faith. Do we trust God’s sovereignty and goodness, even when the outcome is uncertain? These men exemplified trusting God in the midst of uncertainty, standing firm in the face of adversity, and prioritizing God’s glory above all else. May their example inspire us to stand firm, trusting in God’s character and promises, even if…