Daniel 3:14-18 – 14) Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I set up?15) I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you reuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to recue you from my power? 16)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17)If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18)But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue up.”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego got ratted out! They were turned in to the king for not following an order to bow down and worship the golden statue. The king gave them one more chance. This so called chance was really one more chance to bow down to a statue they knew didn’t deserve the honor. One more chance to sin against God and really to bow down to the world. One more chance to chose life or death. One more chance to reject the world or be part of it.
As you read through this, I ask you where do you stand when your one more chance comes around? What does your one more chance look like to you and those watching you?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before the king and boldly stated they didn’t need to defend their decision. They would not bow down to their god, they confidently declared that the God they served would deliver them. They could stand boldly before the king because they knew the ability, the power, and authority of God.
My question is Do you know the ability, power, and authority of God?
They knew God would save them from burning in the furnace and even save them from the king.
Again I ask: Do you know that God can and will save you from this burning broken world.
They boldly declared that EVEN IF…EVEN IF he didn’t, they wouldn’t go against God.
Often times people will complain and even ask:
God why haven’t you gotten me out of this or that?
God how is this situation fair?
God, why am I still hurting and struggling?
And in all those questions at times people walk away because this Christian walk is just too hard. Often times people end up believing the lies that it is better to bow down to this broken world we live in because things seem easier. I remind you again that nowhere in the bible does it say we won’t have struggles or trials. In fact, the bible says:
John 16:33 – I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
So, I ask you tonight:
EVEN IF…God says not yet.
EVEN IF…God says no.
Can you still boldly proclaim that you trust Him and keep walking through the fire, through the storm?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t back down, they didn’t stray away from what they knew God would and could do. They wouldn’t deny God EVEN IF… His plan was different from theirs.
I want to ask : Can you and will you stand tall and together trusting God through all things EVEN IF… his plan isn’t looking like what you thought it would. Let me tell you at times it can be hard. So hard, but I come telling you that if you trust God with your everything, even in death for his honor and glory, YOU WIN!
Weather the death be life, a relationship, a job or whatever it may be, stay faithful in all situations and remember what the enemy meant for evil God intended for good.
Genesis 50:20 – You intended to hard me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
How deep is your love for God?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego displayed the deepest love for God. Today we actually see many do have a love for God and serve him but in their own selfish ways. They will serve God but still love the world, still sin, and love themselves more.
1 John 2:15 – Do not love this world not the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were bold enough to say, EVEN IF he doesn’t.
I leave you with this thought:
EVEN IF IT’S NOT WHEN YOU THOUGHT.
EVEN IF IS ISN’T HOW YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
OR EVEN IF HE DOESN’T
Are you bold enough to deny the enemy when things come against you and be obedient no matter the cost?
EVEN IF… the cost seems too high, Can you still say, “ I will not bow down to no other god by MY GOD ALMIGHTY!
WAITING IN THE MIDST 
I can tell you I know where I stand. And I am constantly told that I am running from God and to be honest at this point in my life, I’m certain I’d probably get down out of fear. This coming from a man who has seen death in Afghanistan. A man who use to be fearless and commanded respect wherever he was. Don’t know where that man went. Seems eventually I will have to stop running. My legs are getting tired by the day.
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