“But If Not….”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedThrough the centuries, many of God’s faithful children have faced the possibility of an agonizing death unless they renounced their faith. They knew that God could deliver them, but they also knew that in keeping with His own purposes He might not answer their pleas for supernatural help.
For example, in Daniel 3:8-18 – NKJV, there were three young Hebrew captives who faced a life-and-death choice: Either worship the king’s golden image or be thrown into the fiery furnace. Their response was unhesitating:
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.” They added, “But if not …. we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18 – NKJV).
Note the phrase, “But if not.” These words would challenge our allegiance to the Lord, wouldn’t they? Suppose we were to face a crippling disease, a shameful disgrace, or a painful loss. We plead for God’s intervention, yet in every threatening circumstance our plea should carry the proviso, “But if not.”
Would we be willing to endure whatever would glorify God, working out His holy purpose for our life? Would our attitude be that of Jesus in Gethsemane:
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39 – NKJV).
It’s something to seriously think about.