But if not...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

(Daniel 3:16-18 ESV)

But if not.

I think those are some of the most powerful words in this passage. "Our God will deliver us out of your hand...But if not.."

That is one of the most amazing sentences to me. These men had such faith that God could, and WOULD deliver them from the furnace, but even if he didn't, they would still worship Him. They would still love Him. They would never forsake the true God.

It shows a contrast to some sects of Christianity today -how so many Christians today can be leaning towards the prosperity gospel, that false gospel that promises health and wealth if you are a Christian.

I pray that we will always live in the "But if not." That we would love our God so much to trust that no matter what happens, good or bad, He is continuing His work of sanctification for HIS glory, however He sees fit to do it.