But If Not

By Ted Mock

July 1, 2026

Da 3:17-18 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Yesterday I was asked to speak to a group of men at a Father’s Day breakfast for a church where we were starting a VBS meeting. There were around sixty men and a dozen or so of their boys. We focused on the general lack of manhood in our country and specifically the shortage of godly manhood in our churches today.  I tried to mix in some humor of soft, sissy boys with the somber subject of genuine manhood from a Biblical perspective.  They laughed at my description of drinking lattes, frappes, wearing skinny jeans, and living in momma’s basement playing video games all day. The mood became more serious when I started speaking on men who trusted the Lord and were godly men who lived out their faith in God and His Word.

The three Hebrew children had supreme faith in the Lord, and they purposed along with Daniel to follow God’s clear commands in His Word.  They refused to eat the king’s food that had been offered to idols, would not drink the alcohol offered, and surely would not bow down and worship his golden image.

They declared their faith in the sovereignty of God’s ability to deliver them, knowing full well that they could  be thrown into the furnace.

Most importantly, they had faith to surrender themselves to the will of God, no matter the consequences.  BUT IF NOT – became their cry.

Reflection—May God help us when the time comes to do right, even if there is no deliverance in this life, to do right!