But If Not…Daniel 13

When you can stand up to threats of harm and suggestions of compromise, you’ve got ‘furnace faith’. Facing a fiery furnace heated seven times over, the three young Hebrews refused to compromise their beliefs or change their behaviour: Listen: ‘… we have no need to answer you in this matter … our God … is able … He will deliver us … But if not … we do not serve your gods’, Dan. 3. 16-18 NKJ.

‘But if not’ – in three words they took it all to a higher level! They knew that God could prevent it, but accepted whatever His plan called for in this particular instance – they would rather die than deny Him.

God can either take us out or bring us through – but what if He leaves us in the circumstances longer than we’d like to stay? Someone has said, ‘Furnace faith is dead to doubt, dumb to discouragement and blind to impossibility. It knows nothing but success. It lifts up its hand through the threatening clouds and lays hold of the One who has all power in heaven and on earth. It makes the circumstances bearable and the future brighter.’ That’s because we’re not alone in the fire! Listen to the king: ‘I see four men loose, walking in … the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God’, Dan. 3. 25.

‘Furnace faith’ -you’ll know you’ve got it when you’re as free in the furnace of adversity and affliction, as you are out of it. Furthermore, when your friends see the Lord Jesus in there with you, it’ll convince them more than all your words. ‘Furnace faith’ – that’s what you’ll need for every day!