The God of the Bible 3
In my book The God of the Bible I deal with four chapters (expositions) from the Book of Daniel – chapters 1, 3, 5 and 6. These were originally sermons preached at Spring Harvest in England – since edited to read better in a book. (That is, I hope they read better!). There is a lot in the book of Daniel I don’t understand, but I think I do understand chapters 1, 3, 5 and 6. In Daniel chapter one we have an account of four young men – Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – who were from the privileged class in Jerusalem who were exiled to Babylon. They were part of the first deportation of the Israelites in 597 B.C. Their first challenge was their diet. They were given the finest foods and wine from the king’s table. But they refused. They opted for what might be called the first recorded high-fiber diet! These men were being true to themselves. As it turned out, they got permission to ‘give it a go’ – to eat their own diet exclusively but be tested at the end of ten days. As it turned out, at the end of ten days ‘they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food’ (Dan.1:15).
The three Hebrews – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – were later put to a greater test. Either they bow down to the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar set up or be thrown into a furnace of fire. But these three young men refused to bow. The king was enraged. He asked, “What god is able to rescue you from my hand?” (Dan.3:15). Their reply sets an example for all of us: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it. . . but even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Dan.3:18). The King James Version says, “But if not” rather than the NIV “even if he does not”. In my book The God of the Bible I call the chapter on Daniel 3 the “’But if not’ faith”. I recall a lady at a prayer meeting in Alabama who asked those present , “Do you have the ‘but if not faith’?”
Do you? Are you prepared to stand for your principles on the basis that God is able to spare you and deliver you – “but if not” – you will not give into the spirit of the age?
One of the curses of the currently popular prosperity teaching is that it encourages people to believe that God will always prosper them in health and wealth. What is lacking in so many of these who teach this is that they neglect to say, “But will you serve God even if He does NOT prosper you?” In other words, where will you stand if you believe that God is able to deliver you, “but if not”?
In my treatment of Daniel 5 I call the chapter “The Party’s Over” when the King Belshazzar trembled seeing the scary but miraculous handwriting on the wall. In Chapter 6 – when Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, the title is “An Open Secret”. The secret to Daniel’s wisdom was his courage and fearlessness in praying when he was commanded not to do so. Nothing could stop him. He was vindicated in the end. But he did not know if he would be! That’s the real test. What if it is likely you WON’T be vindicated for your stand? Would you be equally as faithful?
I believe we are living in a generation that will see many, many people suffer and even die (sometimes with torture) for their faith. I could be one of them. Who knows? Are you willing? Am I? I think so. My fear would not be for myself but for my family. I can only pray that they will be equally courageous when threatened with pain or death if they don’t bow to the ‘god of this world’. I pray this for my son TR. For by grandsons Toby and Timothy. I would rather leave a legacy of fearlessness for the God of the Bible than ten millions dollars tax free.
There is a song we used to sing in Sunday School when I was a child, “Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone’. That chorus influenced me profoundly. Now that I am old (78) I am more determined than ever to be a Daniel, to be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I want to be stronger than ever, more rugged than ever, bolder than ever, more fearless than ever. I am not ashamed of the God of the Bible. This is the true God. This is the only God who can do things, make things happen, deliver us and vindicate?
But if he doesn’t, I will not change my preaching. My teaching. Or alter my faith.
Do you have the “but if not” faith?
If you would like a copy, we are offering this book at a reduced price this month.
Do you?