Even If & No Matter What
The glow of Friday night lights has arrived. The watching of endless football games can be observed on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays at my house. My husband and daughter have each broken out their favorite team jerseys to be worn religiously over the next few months. We live on the east side of Pittsburgh, but there are no Steelers fans in this home. (please don’t hold that against me!) Only the cheers and praises of the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and the Penn-Trafford Warriors (PIAA Class 5A state champions last year) will be shouted from this house.
I marvel at the enthusiasm of football fans. The sheer commitment people have for their beloved teams. The depth of knowledge that they have regarding the game and the statistics of each player on their team. What really intrigues me is how pure the loyalty is for their favorite team. My husband has committed himself to the Vikings for the last 25 years, and they have definitely not been much of a winning team at all!
Even if they lose and no matter what happens on the field, he remains unwavering in his loyalty to them. He has never been a “fair weather fan” of the Minnesota Vikings.
And isn’t that also true of how we view God’s role in our lives? The even if and no matter what speaks to our understanding and testimony of how God is sovereign in the lives of His people.
I recently reread the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. There is so much more to this story than what the flannel board taught me in Sunday School. Their unsinged skin and hair were not the only miracle in this story. These men truly understood the sovereignty of God as they stood before King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:13-18(NLT):
“Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 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.”
The fire was raging and so was the King. But none of that swayed the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They kept their cool and stood their ground despite facing such a terrifying sentence. These men felt no need to defend themselves and stated as so. They proclaimed that their God was able to save them. But even if He doesn’t and no matter what happens, these men were not giving up on the sovereignty of God! They were fully confident of God’s power and ability to rescue them either in this earthly life or in death.
Can you admit to the sovereignty of God in every portion of your life?
Do you really subscribe to “thy will be done”? Will you remain faithful to Him regardless of the outcome?
Even if I lose my job or my home.
Even if my health declines.
Even if I lose my spouse.
Even if I never get married.
Even if I never have children.
Even if.
No matter what happens today or tomorrow.
No matter what struggles I face.
No matter what the world says I am.
No matter what the enemy does to me.
No matter what.
The unshakeable confidence and loyalty of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should bring us to our knees. Lord, forgive us when we have forgotten to acknowledge the movement of Your sovereign hand in our lives. May every day reflect our unwavering, indisputable commitment to You—even if and no matter what!
Held in His Hands,
Lindsey Parks
