Trusting God in Opposition
But even if he does not . . . we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. Daniel 3:18
READ Daniel 3:13–18, 25–27
Raised in a tribe in the Philippines opposed
to belief in Christ, Esther received salvation through Jesus after an
aunt prayed for her during Esther’s battle with a life-threatening
illness. Today, Esther leads Bible studies in her local community in
spite of threats of violence and even death. She serves joyfully,
saying, “I can’t stop telling people about Jesus because I’ve
experienced the power, love, goodness, and faithfulness of God in my
life.”
Serving God in the face of opposition is a reality for many today
just as it was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young
Israelites living in captivity in Babylon. In the book of Daniel, we
learn that they refused to pray to a large golden image of King
Nebuchadnezzar even when threatened with death. The men testified that
God was capable of protecting them, but they chose to serve Him “even
if” He didn’t rescue them (Daniel 3:18). When they were thrown into the
fire, God actually joined them in their suffering (v. 25). To everyone’s
amazement, they survived without even “a hair of their heads singed”
(v. 27).
If we face suffering or persecution for an act of faith, ancient and
modern examples remind us that God’s Spirit is present with us to
strengthen and sustain us when we choose to obey Him, “even if” things
turn out differently than we hope.
By Lisa M. Samra |
What are some ways you’ve chosen to follow God “even if”? What are ways He’s been with you?
God, thank You for loving me so generously. Help me to follow You with joy even in the face of opposition. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel
3:12) were no strangers to adversity. Ripped from their homes in Judah
and dragged into exile, they may have seen family members abused and
killed. They’d likely suffered abuse themselves, and now they resided in
a culture hostile to the one true God. Yet all this adversity seemed
only to strengthen their faith. When they respectfully defied the king
(vv. 16–18), Nebuchadnezzar took their refusal personally, intensifying
his anger. Yet the three remained resolute, revering God alone.
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