“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” -Daniel 3:17-18
This is the story of three men—with funny names—being thrown into a fiery furnace over their refusal to bow down and worship the sitting king. They were confident in their conviction and that putting their faith in God—not this king—was worth the risk of death. So confident, in fact, that they made the above statement looking down the barrel of the inferno.
“God is able to save us.”
“But even if He does not…”
I call this double-fisted faith.
On the one hand, I hold on to the truth that God is good, and present, and able to save us in our times of trouble.
On the other hand, I don’t know the mind of God or the larger story He’s telling. If He doesn’t save me… if He doesn’t do the miracle… if He doesn’t provide the job / person / promotion / justice … nevertheless, I will still trust this God over the institutions of this world, and even over my own judgment.
Can you have double-fisted faith today? Can you pray for the thing that you’re desperate for AND trust Him for a different outcome?