Daniel 3:18 - Faith Without Answers

"But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (NLT)

Throughout this blog I have been providing a message of hope, love, and joy. I have, and will continue to encourage you, and to teach you about God and his word, but I know that life isn't always happy and I want to help you remain strong in your faith when it seems like God hasn't come through.

In a previous post I looked at Daniel 3:17, the verse directly preceding this one. I showed the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I encouraged you to call upon the Lord and he will rescue you. However, now I look at the other side of the coin, now I want to talk about what happens when it seems like he doesn't answer us.

Before I get started I'll provide a little bit of background for this verse however I encourage you to go read the story for yourself. The king of Babylon had issued a decree which says that, if anyone doesn't bow down and worship a statue of him they will be burned alive. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jews who knew and only worshipped the one true God. When the king of Babylon heard that these three men wouldn't worship him he ordered them executed. This verse (Daniel 3:18) is part of the response these three men give the king when they are sentenced to death.

The faith of these three men continues to amaze me. They know that God might not rescue them but they never beg for their lives. They never try to make a deal with the King. They simply tell him that either God will save them, or they will die. They accept this, they know that God doesn't always come through, yet they choose to trust him wholeheartedly. These people literally put their lives in God's hands. Sadly, we as modern day believers often fail to have this kind of faith.

Many people have left the faith because God didn't do something for them. We have all had prayers that haven't been answered. Some people have lost loved ones despite praying for healing. Others have gone bankrupt despite praying for financial restoration. It is a fact that God doesn't always answer our prayers, and often we don't know why. Sometimes the reason is revealed later in life, sometimes we never learn the reason, but through all things, God is good. If God chooses not to answer a prayer then it is for a reason, and that reason will eventually contribute to your benefit, if you'll let it.

I want to encourage you that there is a reason for everything that God does, and a reason for everything he doesn't do. We must simply be willing to trust that, in the long run, God will use our current circumstances for good. Let us have the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, let us be willing to stand with God, even when he doesn't answer our prayers.

Prayer

Lord, I don't know why you don't always answer my prayers. I don't know why you let some things happens which have no apparent benefit to anyone. Despite this, I choose to trust you. I'll trust you no matter my circumstances Lord. I know that you will use my past and my trials for the good of all. Amen.