a challenge

Last night I opened the book of Daniel and decided just to read till I got tired. I made it through the first four chapters, but came across something in chapter 3 that really made me think and has challenged me. You know there are some Bible stories that you know like the back of your hand and sometimes you skim through them because you feel like there isnt anything new you can learn.....well, i found something new last night. Please read Daniel 3:16-18. "16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up'." Read that again. After I read it, I had to read it again, and then again for it to really set in, "But even if he does not......" Shad, Mesh, and Abe (new nicknames) have completely come to grips with the fact that God might not save them from the fire. They know He was able to, but also know that whatever happens is God's will even if that means they stand up for their faith and are martyred in the fire. This recognition is truly Amazing!! Not everyone gets this (and that includes me most of the time), and if Christians would live out this kind of faith on a daily basis, how much better of a witness would that be. I can go on about this longer and will get into it more soon. Just read that passage and think about the ramifications.