Even If He Does Not

There is a passage in Daniel that always amazes me when I read it. It talks of our faith in God. It steers us to what's important. It makes us realize that our ways are not always the ways God takes. The message is still the same--God is in control and He knows best.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are about to be thrown into the furnace for not worshiping the image of King Nebuchadnezzar. After some empty (best very real) threats from the king, he asks them, "...what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" Ooooooo. Bad question. It's been my experience not to get into any kind of questioning contest with God, i.e. see the book of Job. The response of the three men? "...we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king." Now that's a great statement! But what blows me away is the rest of the statement. They said, "But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Did you hear that? Even if he does not... When something good happens, our response is, "God is good." What we need to come to grips with is that God is good even if the good doesn't happen. "Even if," they said. They knew. Their faith was right where it should be.
So, how's your day? Going well? God is good. Not going so well? Guess what? God is good. Until we understand that, life may be difficult for us. But hang in there, because we know that He really is good, faithful, full of love, longsuffering (I like that word better than patient), kind, holy.......Have a great day. JW