BUT IF NOT

“But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Dan. 3:18 NKJV).

Our verse records the response of the three Hebrew young men who refused to bow to the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar and had demanded all to worship. Not worshipping the meant being thrown into a nearby fiery furnace. When these three Jewish young men refused, they said that if they were thrown into the furnace, God would deliver them; “But if not,” they still would not worship the image. The phrase “But if not” expresses a tremendous attitude that says one will do right regardless. These three young men had their limit. Thus, we want to note their piety, position, praise, and prosperity.

Piety - Some folks will only worship God when all is well, and it is convenient. However, when trials, hardships, or sickness enters their life, then worship is quickly forsaken. There is no “But if not” in their worship.

Position - Others will honor God as long as it does not affect their position. But if loss of position is threatened by their faith, then they will abandon their faith. “But if not” does not apply to their position.

Praise – To most folks, popularity and applause are very important. They will serve God when people praise and applaud them. But if praise ceases, they will cease to perform. Such folks need a “But if not” in their service for God.

Prosperity - Many folks readily give to the offering plate if it helps them prosper. But if hard times come, their offering will be the first to be cut. “But if not” says you will give regardless of your prosperity.

(Adapted from Analytical Biblical Expositor)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“If you have no opposition in the place you serve, you're serving in the wrong place!”

George Campbell Morgan (1863 – 1945)

British Evangelist, Bible Teacher, and Author

Word Study

Encounter

In Jam. 1:2 we read, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials!” (NASB).

Encounter is the Greek word peripíptō (περιπίπτω =per-ee-pip'-to). It is made up of two words: “peri” which means around, and “píptō” which means to fall in with, fall into the hands of. Literally, it means to fall around, and so to fall in with or among. The word can also convey the sense of falling into something suddenly or unexpectedly. In classic Greek peripíptō refers to encountering misfortune or to falling in with someone, as in an alliance with a particular group or endeavor. In the Septuagint, peripíptō carries the idea of a chance happening. In the New Testament, peripíptō refer to chance encounters with less than favorable conditions. Here in Jam.1:2, it is used figuratively to indicate a falling into temptation, i.e., facing unexpected trials in one’s Christian walk.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deut. 31:6 KJV).

Did You Know…

A “peculiar (special) treasure” was a term used in the Old Testament to describe the Nation of Israel (Psalms 135:4).

Bible Quiz

How was Elijah taken to heaven?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: In the Book of Jonah, what did the sailors do to calm the sea? They threw Jonah overboard (Jonah 1:15).

Names For God Found in the Bible

“MY PORTION”

"My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26 NKJV).

1. Meaning – MY PORTION refers to God being the cherished and best possession.

2. Insights – In context, the Psalmist found strength for his difficult life in God’s presence. The phrase “strength of my heart” is literally, the “rock of my heart,” an image that speaks of lasting certainty and stability. Therefore, he declared that though his flesh and heart, his health and spirit, might fail, God would sustain him through his afflictions. Death held no power over him, for God was his portion forever. “Portion” refers to the allotment of land given to each tribe of Israel (Num. 18:20). This meant that the Lord is all that one needs in life.

Did You Know...Christian History

Theodore Beza was born June 24, 1519 in Vézelay, France. He was a French Calvinist Protestant theologian, reformer and scholar who assisted and later succeeded John Calvin as a leader of the Protestant Reformation centered at Geneva.

Beza was raised as a member of the elite and high class of the French society. In 1539, he completed his degree in law at Orleans. He enjoyed a life of prosperity, studying classical literature and languages. But in 1548, he fell seriously ill and thought this was God’s judgment on him for his wayward lifestyle. On recovering from his illness, he underwent a conversion experience. He abandoned the fame, and the connections, and traveled to Geneva with his wife Claudine to join Calvin, who was deeply involved with his reforms of Swiss political and educational institutions.

From then on, he made his name as a Reformed theologian and pastor, and began writing his own theological works. He wrote in defense of Calvin on topics such as predestination and Lord’s Supper, and produced his own Confession of Faith to be used as a handbook for the Bible and to provide sound theological content for pastors.

Calvin and Beza became best friends in their endeavor for Reformed faith. To raise support for French Protestants from the Lutherans, he went on frequent diplomatic missions. He longed for the day that he could go back to his native land to fight for the Reformed churches. And considering his upbringing, he was perfect for the job.

Beza was not only the leader of French Protestantism, but he was also Calvin’s appointed successor in Geneva. He served as the rector of the Genevan Academy for 40 years. After Calvin’s death in 1564, he also succeeded him as the chief minister of the main church in Geneva and as moderator of Company of Pastors.

Not only was Beza a fine Reformed scholar, he also had a pastoral heart with deep concern for the spiritual well-being of his flock For Beza, true pastors were those who would “teach, exhort, and console their flocks by the living Word of God.” He repeatedly challenged the pastors and the students that they were to be first and foremost lifelong students of the Scriptures, studying it diligently day and night. He applied this to his own life by producing important exegetical works, his own Latin translation of the Bible and his annotations, which later influenced the Geneva Bible and the King James Version as well.

Beza died on October 13, 1605. The night before his death, his friends gathered around his bed. Sensing the end has come, they read to him Romans 5:1. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This was a concise and accurate summary of Beza’s life and the belief he had treasured in his heart.

A Little Humor

A mother was struggling to get the ketchup out of the bottle when the phone rang. She asked her four-year-old daughter to answer it. She heard her daughter say, “Mommy can’t come to the phone. She’s hitting the bottle.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“The best way to face life’s changes is to look at the unchanging God!”