Biblical Faith

In Daniel, Chapter 3, the three friends of Daniel find themselves having to make a very grave decision. Would they bow down to the idol that Nebuchadnezzar had set up, as was expected, or would they obey the commandment of God that said worship must be given to none other than the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Their lives depended upon the answer. If they refused to kneel, a furnace awaited them.

They needed no time. They knew the answer. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego . . . said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so [that is, that they would end up in the oven for their decision], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’”

How often have we seen faith falter at just this moment? A crisis arises, God is sought for deliverance, and when it does not go as hoped, he is abandoned as one to be scorned for emotional deafness and another, more attentive, god is embraced. Such idolizing was not an option for these young men. God, and God alone, would be worshiped even if his will included a horrifying death.

This is faith -- biblical faith. It is a belief that God is to be worshiped and trusted as God despite how the matter turns out. God could certainly protect them, if he wished, and they would emerge from the oven, or be prevented from entering it in the first place. But, if in the wisdom of God, they were to perish at the hands of this blustering tyrant, they would not give to another what was due God. Theirs was not a performance-based faith. It was not dependent upon God doing what they wished. Rather, it was a respectful resolve to worship a God that does as he wishes. This is the stuff of martyrs. May God find in us such adoration for his person and purposes.