Our God is able to deliver us.
Three friends facing a furnace — and the faith that refuses to bargain.
The episode in a glance.
- 01Nebuchadnezzar threatens death by furnace.
- 02The three men declare God's ability to deliver.
- 03'But if not' — faith without leverage.
- 04Deliverance happens, but it wasn't the condition for trust.
Read along.
Daniel 3:17-18: 'If this be so, 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.'
Three Jewish exiles refuse to bow to the king's idol. Nebuchadnezzar threatens to burn them alive.
Their answer has two parts. First: our God is able to deliver us. Confidence in God's power.
Second: 'But if not.' Whether or not he chooses to deliver us, we still won't bow. This is faith without leverage.
God does deliver them — they walk out unharmed. But notice their faith didn't depend on the deliverance. They were ready to trust him in the fire.