The “If Not” Factor

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not it?” (Numbers 23:19, ESV)

People sometimes fail us. God never fails.

People may break promises. God never breaks promises.

People sometimes lie. God never lies.

People are sometimes untrustworthy. God is always trustworthy.

If we know all these things about God, why do we sometimes find it difficult to trust Him when difficult situations arise in our lives? Can we depend on Him? How deep does our trust in the Lord go?

Trust is defined as “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence” (dictionary.com).

Yes, God is totally reliable, faithful, and trustworthy.

Trusting God does not mean we will always receive the outcome we expect or hope for. It does mean we are willing to trust God regardless of the outcome. We see this in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. They believed that God was able to deliver them from the fiery furnace, but they determined to trust Him even if He chose not to save them.

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)

Their “but if not” statement is a powerful testimony of their complete trust in God.

Someone once said, “It’s easier to believe in God than to trust God.” Belief is based on intellectual knowledge of something. Trust requires action on our part. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to act on their trust by refusing to bow before the image. The wrath of Nebuchadnezzar and the heat of the furnace could not shake their faith in God. They knew that whatever happened, their God was completely trustworthy. Whatever He chose to do would be for their best. That showed their total submission to God’s will.

A passage in Jeremiah describes the strength of those who trust in the Lord.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)

A man with complete trust in the Lord will not allow difficult circumstances to undermine his confidence in God. He does not allow fear or worry to fill his mind. His roots go deep because he developed a strong relationship with the Lord long before the time of testing came. He knows that no matter how God chooses to respond to his prayers—that “if not” factor—all will be well. He is submitted to God’s will.

The more we know a person, the more we learn how trustworthy he is. The more we learn about God, the greater our trust in Him will grow. We will know from personal experience that He keeps His promises, that He will never disappoint us or forsake us. He will answer us when we call upon Him.

If God does not deliver you from the furnace of affliction, He will go into the furnace with you. He promised to never abandon you, and He keeps His promises. Every single time!

Thank You, Lord, that You are completely trustworthy. Whatever circumstances come my way, no matter how impossible they may seem, You have promised to be my fortress, my shield, my protector. You will never leave me to face my trials alone. My confidence is in You!

(Other verses to encourage you: Psalm 50:15, Psalm 56:3-4, Psalm 89:34, Psalm 112:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, II Corinthians 5:7.)