But if Not

Daniel 3:16-18,”Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a commitment to God that not too many people have had. They figured something out. Too many people want to live their lives and say, “I’ll live my life for God IF…(fill in the blank)” People want to use “if’s” with God. I believe God deserves much more than that. He gave His only Son to die on a cross to pay for our sins so that we don’t have to spend even a second in Hell. This is something that we can never repay. We have no right to demand something in return for serving the Lord. He gave His life for us; the least we could do is live for Him.

These three Hebrews were confident that God could deliver from the furnace, but even if He didn’t, they were not going to back down from their stand. They knew the consequences for not bowing down, but they still would not bow. They were committed to God even if that meant burning in a furnace. No matter the consequence, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were fully devoted to God. Like Daniel, they purposed in their heart. Let’s serve the Lord with no “if’s.” Let’s wholly commit to the Lord and serve Him with our lives!