A “But Even If” Kind of Faith

How far would you go in acknowledging God’s control over ALL things? Do you believe that God has the power, wisdom, and authority to act in any and every situation? Could you also say that God often chooses to allow, through humanity’s free will and choices, some things that might not be what He definitely wants to happen, but they will further His purposes in ways He alone fully understands? Welcome to the struggle of understanding the sovereignty of God.

There is a book in our Bibles that we’ve taken a few of its stories, sanitized them, and relegated them to Children’s Church only spaces. Well, unless you’re the type of person that goes to Daniel for End Times prophecies, but we’re not touching that today. The sovereignty of God is on full display throughout the story of Daniel and his friends – especially in one defining moment standing in front of a blazing hot fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego confidently tell King Nebuchadnezzar, God can save us, and they wholeheartedly believed that. But, they also wholeheartedly believed that, though He could, He might not. This led them to say this: “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 3:18).

This is a type of faith, a “but even if” faith, that is possible for all believers. This is a faith not dependent upon God doing what we specifically request of Him, not demanding Him to deliver when we want, but a faith that is firmly grounded in the truth that God’s presence alone, regardless of the result, is enough. A “but even if” faith says things like:

But even if I don’t get better.

But even if I don’t see a way through.

But even if I lose everything, I’ll trust Him.

The story of Daniel and his friends, as amazing as they may be, aren’t actually examples of the way God often works, but rather the exception. They made it through the fiery furnace and came out unburnt, unharmed, and unbelievably alive. That might not be what we experience in our trials in life. But, there is still some example there for us:

• God might not prevent our trials, but He will be present with us in them.
• God might not deter our suffering, but He will deliver us through it.

No matter what we face in this life, we must understand that God is with us, for us, and CAN use all for our good and His glory. We can have that type of courage when we understand God’s sovereignty over and presence in every situation. It was His presence in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that ultimately foreshadows Jesus, Immanuel—God with us. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus secured ultimate victory, turning what appeared to be defeat into triumph.

Living with a “but even if” faith means believing that no matter the outcome, God is in control, and His purposes will win out. It means trusting Him not only to deliver us but also to sustain us when deliverance doesn’t come in the way we expect.

Living like this, like Nebuchadnezzar, others may see our trust in God and declare, “no other god can save in this way.” (Daniel 3:29).

What would change in your life if you fully trusted God’s sovereignty and presence? Could you live with a “but even if” faith, knowing that His power is made perfect in our weakness and that His presence is enough?