But if not

But if not….

If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, o king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up. Daniel 3:17-18

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Such was the conviction of Jim Elliot as he entered these words in his journal on October 28, 1949. These words would become true for him and his four fellow missionaries on January 8, 1956, as they were attacked and murdered. Elliot and the others fully understood the dangers, yet were willing to say “but if not.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have saved themselves a lot of trouble if they had simply gone along with the crowd and bowed on the plain of Dura. They could have rationalized their decision for everyone except themselves. “But if not” became a powerful statement of faith that would echo across the centuries. Could God save them from the furnace of death? Without a doubt. Would God save them from the furnace of death? It didn’t matter.

Fast forward a few years as Daniel, the once-powerful leader within the king’s court now stands looking into the mouth of a lion. Daniel could have closed the windows to his room and prayed in secret but not Daniel. He had no doubts that God could save him from the lions “but if not”, then let it be known I will continue to pray and worship my God.

Jesus standing in the midst of Gethsemane facing the critical juncture in his ministry came to his “but if not” moment. Throwing himself on the ground and praying, he cried out, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” (Matthew 26:39)

Peter and John had their defining “but if not” moment as they stood before their accusers. You can go home, just don’t preach about Jesus anymore. This was their free ticket out of jail. “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge.” Peter and John had no doubts that God could get them out of jail “but if not”, “we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

Bishops Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer faced their terrifying “but if not” moment being chained to the stake to be burned for their beliefs. Bishop Ridley if you will only revoke and recant, you can go free. Is this the only way of freedom? Yes. “Well so long as there is breath in my body, I will never deny my Lord Christ and his known truth. God’s will be done in me.” As fire began to consume the wood that would quickly take their lives, Latimer, the man of prayer, boldly proclaimed, “Be of good cheer, Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day, by God’s grace, light up such a candle in England as I trust will never be put out.”

Scripture is filled with pages of “but if not” moments for those who follow God. Joseph could have escaped prison if he had only succumbed to the desires of Potiphar’s wife. David could have been king sooner if he had only killed Saul in the cave. Job could have had the easy life if he hadn’t been a righteous man. Stephen wouldn’t have been the first martyr of the church if he hadn’t boldly proclaimed the Gospel.

“But if not” faith comes with a cost, yet it is a faith worth whatever cost. “But if not” faith has been the clarion cry for everyone who follows God. Jesus understood fully that his followers would face a “but if not” moment because “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” (John 15:18-19 NLT)

Centuries have passed since three young men stood in defiance of a king’s order and made their declarations of “but if not” faith in God. This same zealous declaration has been heard in every generation by those who follow Jesus. Today, around the world, there are those who are facing a loss of job, imprisonment, and even death because they have chosen the “but if not” faith in Jesus Christ.

Every follower of Jesus will face the “but if not” moment. What will your “but if not” moment look like?

God could heal me of cancer but if not, I will continue to trust Him.

God could keep my company from going bankrupt but if not, I will continue to follow Him.

God will …. but if not, I will still worship and praise God.

God is great,