Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
-Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV)

In Daniel Chapter 3, the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar has created a 90-foot-tall gold statue and ordered everyone to bow down to it. The alternative? Being thrown into fiery furnace. Despite the threat, three Jewish men who were serving as officials in Babylon — Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego — refused.

When confronted by the king and given one more chance, amazingly the men don’t recant on their convictions. They actually take it one step further and emphatically say that their God can save them. They also add that even if he does not, it makes no difference. The three make it clear that regardless of the circumstances, their God is entitled to their uttermost trust. And because of that, they are not bowing down to anything other than God himself.

Think about the situation… These men were about to die at the hands of a godless king. With their lives on the line, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had every reason to question God’s timing and deliverance. But even in a moment of extreme turmoil, they stood true to the God that they knew and followed. The God that saves and rescues… And the same God that sometimes performs in ways we can’t even begin to fathom.

I think we’ve all been there before too. Life is full of those “furnace” moments. While your life may not be in any real danger, your character, finances or relationships may be. And God might intervene on your behalf in the midst of your struggle… Or he might not.

It’s easy to be steadfast to God when he does. We shout. We celebrate. We praise.

But we must also have complete trust in God’s goodness during the times when we have absolutely no idea how he is going work. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we must have confidence that just because God could, doesn’t mean that he should.

For we know that our God is able. It’s our job to be faithful.

Even if he does not.