But If Not

“But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:18 (NKJV)

I had a young woman in a bible study I was teaching tell me, “I hear all these testimonies from Christians who say God did miracles in their lives. God has never done anything like that for me. When I hear people talk about how God worked in their lives, it makes me angry. Do I not have enough worth for Him to move like that for me?”

It's a pivotal question: why does God answer some prayers and not others? Hannah gave insight in her prayer of thanksgiving, even after giving up the one thing that was most precious to her, her only son.

She speaks of God’s holiness and sovereignty; there’s none like Him. As the God of all knowledge, all actions and all outcomes are weighed by His wisdom and understanding that will grow and strengthen us. What we might see as a benefit in the present could be detrimental in the future and only He knows that. That Supremacy even defines life and death (v 2:6).

So, if we’re walking through 1^st Samuel, why do we begin with Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

The context of today’s verse is that King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the peoples, nations and languages to worship a golden image he set up (Dan. 3:5) under threat of being burned alive (3:11). These three young Jewish captives refused.

In their refusal they said they knew God could save them from the fire but could not be absolutely sure He would. Their answer to the furious king was swift and sure. God could save them, but if not, their confidence was in Him, and they would not bow. Their faith remained steadfast in the God of Israel and that any outcome under His control would turn out perfectly on their behalf, be it life or death.

In his rage Nebuchadnezzar had the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal. The fire was so intense it killed the men who put the three Jewish men in (vs 3:22-23). The Lord protected the captives and was seen by the king as the fourth person walking with them in the fire (Dan 3:25). All three were brought out unhurt and unsinged, with not even a smell of smoke on their clothing (v 3:27).

And for Hannah? God blessed her and opened her womb. He gave her three more sons and two daughters (1^st Sam. 2:21). A great end to a great story of faith. God be glorified. But what if it had not turned out as she had hoped? Would it have meant God had loved her any less? No, nor would it have lessened her worth in His eyes at all.

How about when things don’t turn out as we have hoped and prayed?  There are many blanks we can fill in where God is silent yet remains ardent in His love for us. After sincere and concerted prayers hit brass ceilings the words “But if not” can become a phrase we can confidently live by. God remains ardent in His love toward us. However, if He chooses the fire, He doesn’t want us to embrace the mistake of fury.

When we pray specifically, and God chooses to answer in another way then let us rest in His wisdom. When we put our trust in whatever answer comes, He is able to open any barren womb, but if not, He will always be the Fourth Person walking with us in the fire.

Ken