Read Daniel 3:13-18
Discover
1. When Nebuchadnezzar found out that the three men hadn’t bowed to his statue, what was his response?
2. How did the men respond to the king?
3. What statement(s) proved the depth of their faith?
Respond
After refusing to bow, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came to a pivotal moment. Would they become confrontational or compliant, or would they be courageous in their convictions? They stood firm, stating that their God could save them. Then they took it a step further, making an incredible statement of faith. “Even if he doesn’t” showed that they served God for who He was, not for what He could do for them.
So often we approach God like a vending machine, assuming that if we believe in Him and do good things, He’ll reward us with good things in return. But what about when bad things happen? Do we have faith to obey Him even if things don’t go our way?
Take a few minutes to reflect on your heart posture toward God. Is there a situation where you’re willing to trust Him only if He does what you want? What do you need to surrender in order to have an “even if” kind of faith? Ask God to reveal any gaps and to help you trust Him no matter what.
Want to go deeper? Read these verses as a reminder of why your faith can run deep. What do they say about God’s love, and where do you see yourself in them?