Daniel 3:17 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.
When the Hebrew boys faced the prospect of being thrown into the fiery furnace, they had promises to rely on, and they could have quoted passages in the Bible, and they could have pointed to precedent, as reasons why they should have confidence that they would be delivered, for sure. However, notwithstanding the promises, they left some wiggle room for God to exercise His discretion so that God’s will and not theirs would be done.
Not all who follow Christ will be delivered from the fires of the furnace. Some would and some won’t, but all would be declared victorious when Jesus comes to claim His own. If God were to guarantee deliverance in every case, there would be no need to exercise faith, because it would be a no-brainer to follow God without risk. In some instances, the best thing to do will be for God to deliver, but in other instances, in the best interest of the kingdom, it would be best for Him to leave things alone.
This is what the disciples did not understand as they saw Jesus being handcuffed and hauled off to prison where He was to stand trial for things He did not do. In that episode, God’s discretion saw fit to let things slide, because, in the bigger picture, God saw that millions of persons would be saved as a result.
Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!