How are you under pressure? I don’t mean the self-inflicted pressure associated with busy. No, it’s the kind of pressure that comes as a threat to you or your family. It can be the loss of a relationship, a job, your good standing or even your life.

I have found that these situations arise over someone’s quest for more…money, power, position, or fame. In politics there is an old sayin,’ “Son, ya gotta go along to get along.” Usually, the process begins with unimportant things. Over time you discover what you once believed now has become a rationalization of situational ethics. Nothing is clear anymore. But when faced with totally compromising what you know is right…you struggle. You find yourself lost, not knowing what to do or where to go.

Today, and really all through history, this scenario has plagued mankind. Why? Simply put, people do not know and trust Almighty God. People don’t know Him because they don’t know and live His Word. All through time there have been threats of being cancelled. God’s Word has fascinating examples of how He has provided for the people that trust Him. They knew He controlled history.

One of my favorite examples was when the 3 young Jewish boys respectfully declined to “go-along”. The boys had been kidnapped and taken to a foreign & evil land. They had been put into an indoctrination camp to reprogram them to be like the culture. The king had even changed their names. You may know them by their Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego but their Jewish names were, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The king may have relabeled them, but they drew their significance & value from God Almighty. They were prepared for just such a time.

“That time” was when King Nebuchadnezzar gave them a choice. They could either bow & worship before his statue or be thrown into the blazing furnace. What would you do? Are you ready to make that decision? The present times should convince you that this may happen in your life.

Ponder the boys response found in Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

The power of “But even if” is the Power to remain true “even if” it does not go the way we might like. It is the No-Matter-What-Power that only God can provide.

We find another example of “but even if” trust in God with King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:12. His nation faced annihilation. He prayed, “We do not know what to do but our eyes are on you.” In the New Testament we find the same “but even if” trust being lived out by Stephen in Acts 6 and 7. Stephen stood, and preached Christ crucified before the same church leaders who crucified Jesus. He knew he was safe “in the palm of His (Jesus) hand” (John 10:28). “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55. This was Stephen’s power, and this was his prayer, “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60.

Wouldn’t you like to have this confidence…this “even if…” power? The Good News… you can right it where you are. Call out His Precious Name, “Jesus come into my heart. Forgive me for my sins. “Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)