Daniel 3, Ephesians 3:20

Steve Holloway

I love the example of Daniel. His life shows how you can live as a person of faith in an alien world. He is an example of steadfastness, patience, perseverance, tenacity, integrity and hope. Daniel, with many other young men, was taken from his homeland and he was put through a programme to give him a new identity - a new name, education and diet. Yet he found favour and rose to a position of influence and then had it stripped away. Trusting in God's plan and timing he waited patiently, before again being God's voice to the nation's ruler. His message never wavered - it was strong and forthright and yet delivered with humility and integrity.

Read Daniel Chapter 3

Although this passage is about three of Daniel's fellow exiles, it shows that faith has many levels and applications. Read verse 17 and 18 again.

1. 'The God we serve is able'
Fundamental to an active faith is the conviction that God can. He is able. In fact he is able to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). Faith requires an absolute belief in God's ability - nothing is impossible.

2. 'and He will'
Believing that God can is one thing - however, it takes more than being able. The belief and conviction that God not only can, but will. Knowing God's will is so important. God's will doesn't depend on what we want. However, what we want should be directed by God's will. A maturing faith is always asking what is God's will.

3. 'But even if He doesn't'
For me, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego now show their deeper maturity of faith. They declare God can rescue them. They believe that He will. Even if He doesn't, they still won't bow to another. The young men do not presume. They leave open the prospect that God may have another plan and if that means them not being rescued, then that's fine too.

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we believe God, but for one reason or another, God may occasionally have another plan. However, He asks us to believe in Him, even when things may not turn out as we plan or hope.

Today, do you believe God is able to abundantly more than you can imagine? Do you believe that He will provide for you, rescue and heal you? And even if He doesn't - will you remain steadfast in your love and commitment to Him.

I pray you can say "Yes" and "Amen".