Even If He Does Not

9-12-08

SCRIPTURE
Daniel 3:17-18 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O King. 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.

OBSERVATION
I'm impressed with the confidence and courage of these 3 young men. "God will save us...But even if He does not, we want you to know..." That is inspiring. Kind of like the underdog, in a movie scene, finally standing up to the overpowering, abusive, bad guys. We get inspired by scenes like that. It inspires me to believe that I could actually do something that courageous and end up making a difference that even transcends little me. "we know God CAN save us." But that's not our only motivation for making this decision not to bow down to your idols or give allegiance to a pretend god. Our God is real and therefore worth giving our lives to serve Him and Him alone. Like a wedding vow, "We choose to forsake all others and give ourselves (our hearts) fully to God." I am inspired by this sort of focus.

APPLICATION
I want to be a "but even if He does not" kind of person. My heart fully belongs to God. Therefore my actions and decisions, to do the right thing, should flow out of my love relationship with my Savior -- Jesus.

PRAYER
God. I am inspired and challenged by this sort of confidence and courage. I want this reflected in my life. Help me not to let fear drive or paralyze me from living life with a heart that's fully Yours.