One of the best and, in my opinion, under-appreciated verses in the Bible is found in the book of Daniel chapter 3.

Nebechadnezzer, king of Babylon, and at that point king of the world, decided that the best way to show how amazing he is was to have a HUGE statue of gold created. All his noblemen then line up in front of it and every time the music plays everybody is suppose to bow before it.

In other words, worship it. Or actually, worship him.

Well, three boys from Judea were not about to worship a mere piece of gold.

And, as we are learning today in our world, going against what culture says will get you in trouble.

Deep Trouble.

Sure enough, the king is told and he is furious. It’s a direct attack against his authority. Three mere boys from a tiny province think they can stand against the might of Babylon and the plethora of gods they worship?

I don’t think so!

So, these three guys are called into the king’s presence and, being the merciful king he is, good ole’ Neb gives them one more chance to obey by worshiping his golden statue. If they refuse they’ll be thrown into his fiery furnace from which no god can rescue them.

This is the boys’ response:
“King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

(Mic drop)

I love this response!!

The faith these men show is amazing – maybe no other god can rescue us, but our God can and He will.

I also love their honesty – maybe our God won’t rescue us, but even if He does not, we still must obey Him not you.”

Even if God doesn’t do what we want… we still must obey Him.

I wonder how often we try to barter with God in our prayers? In essence we often say, “If You do this God… then I’ll obey.”

If You heal my loved one, then I’ll give up this sin I’m hanging on to.
If You give us a better job with more money, then I’ll tithe regularly.
If You give me a boyfriend/girlfriend then I’ll be content and relax.
If You give us a child/another child then I’ll do whatever You want.

But have you ever prayed, “God would You please do this…. but even if You don’t I know You’re still good, still worthy of worship, and I will still obey.”

These boys’ lives were on the line and they knew it. They didn’t doubt God’s power or God’s goodness. What they weren’t sure about was God’s plan for them.

God can save us, but if He doesn’t, it’s ok, we still have to obey Him.

Believer, may we freely come to God with our petitions and our requests boldly approaching the throne of grace. But may we also come with humility and realize the One before Whom we stand. He is God and we are not. And even if He tells us no, He is still worthy of all worship and all praise and He is still good.

Even if He doesn’t, He’s still God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y