What if God Doesn't Come Through?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had been carefully selected to serve in the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar.

“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”” (Daniel 1:3–4, NLT)

These were no ordinary men. They stood out from the others. They were royalty back home in Judah. When these men were chosen God gave them even greater favour and extra ability to accomplish whatever the king asked of them.

What the king had not banked on was their fierce devotion to God.

King Nebuchadnezzar erected a huge statue that represented himself. When the band played everyone in the country was ordered to bow down to this statue, worshipping and demonstrating their allegiance to the king. However, there were three men of valour who refused to bow down. Clearly their fellow countrymen had no trouble bowing down. In fact, that is why they were in captivity in the first place. God’s people were guilty of bowing to other gods, making idols and worshipping them rather than, or even alongside of, their God. These three stood alone, easily visible among the prostrate throng around them.

It did not take long for this news to reach the king’s ears. He was livid. The penalty for not bowing before his statue was death by fire. The king sent for the men and questioned them. They were good men. He favoured them and didn’t really want to kill them, so he gave them a second chance to rescind their actions and bow down to him.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 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.”” (Daniel 3:16–18, NLT) [emphasis mine]

These men recognized God’s awesome power but also knew that he doesn’t always rescue—they had witnessed first-hand the brutality of the Babylonian army, the destruction of their beloved country, and the slaughter of fellow Hebrews. They experienced God not rescuing their friends and families from being slaughtered and taken captive. They knew the cost of their refusing to bow. They knew God may not deliver them because he had not delivered them from the attack of the enemy before.

And yet they remained faithful. They lived unoffended with God. They were truly seeking God’s face and not his hands. They would rather die than compromise their relationship with God.

Here in Canada it has not yet come to the place where we must choose between life or loving God. We are at a point of choosing to go without Government funding, or forfeiting jobs, if we hold to our convictions, but it is still not life and death. Yet, we are challenged regularly with how we respond to God if he doesn’t ‘come through for us’ according to our expectations.

Our house has been for sale for over a year in an overcrowded market in a slumping economy. My husband was unemployed for over a year just after I retired from a lifelong career of teaching piano. Though he has now been employed for just over 4 months we are still in financial recovery mode. Now, rather than paying one mortgage with half an income, we are paying on two homes with one income. What if we are forced to file for bankruptcy?

When the scriptures say, in Philippians 4:19, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (NLT – Emphasis mine), what does that mean? Does this refer to my idea of what my needs are? Or could there be a deeper meaning here?

Back up a few verses and we hear Paul say, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (Philippians 4:11–12, NLT) [Emphasis mine]

It sounds like ‘need’ refers to contentment; content in my circumstances with what God has given me. Paul says, “Not that I was ever in need…I know how to live on almost nothing…” But he has learned a secret. Contentment. Paul was in prison as he wrote this. It would seem his need was freedom. And yet he is strangely at peace and preaches the gospel to all who come within earshot of him. In the end, Paul lost his life because he refused to stop preaching the Gospel.

What needs did he have that God had met? What did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego need? They had confident assurance. Not of freedom and deliverance from their oppressors but a rock-solid belief that God was with them and they trusted him implicitly with their lives and future.

What do I need today? Well, I’d love for my house to sell. I’d love some answers. Like, when will Romans 8:28 become a reality?

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

What I need is that same confident assurance that God is with me and that if he has not provided something for me it is because I have need of something else. What I need is an eternal perspective on things. What I need is an intimate relationship with Jesus; a trust that does not waver in the fires of life. 

Can my relationship with Jesus weather fire, or imprisonment, or bankruptcy, or __________(you fill in the blank)? What if God does not come through for me in the way I ask him to? Will I walk away offended? Or, can I say with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that I will continue to love him even if he does not rescue me? Can I say with Paul that I have learned how to be content even when I am disappointed with the results of my circumstances?

I’m getting there. Some days are easier than others. When I look at the history I have with God, it is easier to trust him with my future. When I look at my circumstances, not so much. I am practicing daily to announce that I do, in fact, trust God with our house, our ministry, our kids, etc. God has more than ‘come through’ for me throughout my life. Not always in the way I had hoped or expected but always in some glorious way to show he loves me. Provision is not necessarily material. God's provision comes in a myriad of shapes and sizes, measurable and immeasurable. His greatest provision is his unfathomable love for you and for me.