and if not, He is still good

“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 3:17-18)

This was a blog post I wrote last year, before we went to Greece. We had many people, including family, express concern for where we were going and who we would be interacting with. I was blessed to have so many people read it and also to be able to read it in front of our entire church (with my head down and faster than I've ever read anything in my life!) It came up on my Facebook memories and I feel like this applies to more than just a missions trip.

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Greece has been at the forefront of our minds for the past few months. Trying to fundraise seems like it’s consuming our lives. But we still feel called to go, and I know everything leading up to July 20th will make us appreciate being there so much more.

I know we’ve had some family and friends express their concern and apprehension about our safety while we are there and now, even more so because of the attacks in Brussels. We aren’t immune to fear or apprehension but just believe that God is greater than it. We may not always understand His plan but we choose to stay faithful and confident in Him.

Confidence was something that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendengo seemed to have in abundance. Refusing to bow to the king’s idol and enduring his ensuing rage and threats of death. But they knew that the God they served could deliver them from the burning, fiery furnace. BUT IF NOT, they would still not worship the idol.

“and if not, He is still good” is an indirect interpretation of this story and something that describes so perfectly how I feel about our impending trip. We feel that God has called us to go to Greece. To serve and share Christ’s love. I want to be out of the safety and security of my life. To be uncomfortable. To be stretched and grown. And even in the moments where I doubt, where insecurity seems to take over, I know that God will be with me, with all of us going. He will provide, protect and be our voice when we don’t think we have the words. BUT, if He does not provide, HE IS STILL GOOD. If we can’t find the words, find ourselves in an unsafe situation, if we are hurt, if terrorists attack, even if we die, HE IS STILL GOOD. Nothing changes that, or diminishes his goodness. It was clear for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendengo and it is clear for us today.

He is good, no matter what.