Absolute Faith

Is your faith in God so absolute that you would risk your life on it?

I've noticed two different examples lately of people in the Bible who did just that.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego

These three God-fearing men had risen to be appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon. Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image of himself and when his subjects heard music, they were to fall down and worship the golden image. If they didn't, they would be thrown in a fiery furnace. The King was informed that three of his administrators were not bowing before his image and he was enraged. He asked, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?" Then he gave them one more chance to fall down and worship the golden image. Their lives are on the line, and here is their response:

...our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Daniel 3:17-18

This is one of my favorite stories. King Nebuchadnezzar couldn't imagine a god so powerful they could protect these men in an inferno, but Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego didn't waver in their conviction. They were ready to die rather than disobey the God they served.

Mordecai

King Ahasuerus, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, had grown displeased with his wife and held a beauty contest to find a new one. He chose Esther. Esther had been raised by her Uncle Mordecai and they were both Jewish, although the King wasn't aware of their heritage. King Ahasuerus promoted an advisor, Haman, and all the subjects who sat around the gate bowed to Haman as he went by...all except Mordecai. This incensed Haman every time it happened, so he sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. When Mordecai found out about Haman's intentions, he went to his niece, Queen Esther, and asked her to go to the King and plead for the lives of her people. Esther was understandably afraid to do so, because if you entered the King's presence without a request from him and he didn't raise his scepter, you would be killed. Mordecai said to her:

Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. Esther 4:13-14a

I think it's amazing that Mordecai had absolute faith that God would deliver His people. God didn't need Esther or her royal position to accomplish His purposes, but Esther needed to consider that she might have been placed in that position, by God, for this very purpose.

The God who you serve is able to deliver you from ________________________.