%20(1).png)
Indomitable: When Faith is Under Fire
- Free Church
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Indomitable: When Faith is Under Fire | Gareth Nicholson | 31 Aug 2025
Ever tried to bargain with God? IF You do this… THEN I’ll do that. But faith isn’t about IF/THEN logic—it’s about worship and trust in Him, "even if He does not..." answer in the way you might like. Here’s what three men in Daniel Chapter 3 can teach us about standing firm and not bowing even when the heat is on.
IF... THEN... ELSE
The other day, one of my kids told me they had programmed a traffic light system at primary school. Two things surprised me:
Most of our traffic lights don’t work —maybe this means things are getting better!
I only did that in second-year engineering, not primary school!
Come on, next generation—world changers!
That conversation reminded me of IF, THEN, ELSE statements—logical conditions. And if I’m honest, that’s often how I approach God:
If You get me out of this mess, then I’ll never do this again.
If You make this deal happen, then I’ll be generous.
If YOu answer my prayer, then I'll praise you.
Sound familiar?
This IF/THEN logic has two big problems:
It assumes God needs my help—like I can bargain with Him! It assumes God operates according to my logic.
Yes, there are moments when God responds to these prayers. But there’s a better way—a way that only shows up when faith is under fire.
Bow or Burn (Daniel 3)
Enter Daniel 3: Three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—stand before King Nebuchadnezzar.
The king builds a 90-foot golden statue and commands everyone:
Bow or burn.
Conform or be consumed.
The three refuse. Furious, the king threatens:
“If you don’t worship… you will be thrown into the blazing furnace. Then what god will rescue you from my power?” (Daniel 3:15)
Their reply?
“If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us… But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods or worship the statue.” (Daniel 3:17–18)
Even if He does not. Those are some powerful words.
This isn’t logic-based faith (IF God does this, THEN I’ll trust Him). This is worship-based faith:
I trust You regardless of the outcome.
Faith in the Fire
Nebuchadnezzar orders the furnace heated seven times hotter. The soldiers carrying them die from the heat. The three men fall in bound.
Then something incredible happens:
“Look! I see four men, not tied, walking in the fire… and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” (Daniel 3:25)
The LORD showed up in the fire.
And here’s my favorite part:
The furnace with which the king meant to kill them became the place where they encountered the real King.
What Does This Mean For Us?
We all face moments of choice:
Will you compromise or stand courageously?
Will you bow to pressure or hold your convictions?
You might not face a literal furnace—but the heat is real.
Here’s what this story teaches about living indomitable—impossible to defeat or discourage:
1. Worship Decides What You Can Withstand
What or who you worship will determine your strength.
Worship God → You stand firm.
Worship lesser gods → You waver under pressure.
2. Trust Even If He Does Not
Can you trust God even when He doesn’t answer the way you want? Faith says:
Not IF/THEN… but EVEN IF.
3. Testing Produces Testimony
The fire reveals what’s real.
The biggest tests often lead to the biggest testimonies.
4. Make the Choice Today
No matter how many times you might have caved, it’s not too late to choose courage.
The way to life is to be willing to die.
The Gospel in the Fire
No matter where you’ve compromised, God is faithful. He invites you into a bigger story—a story of hope, redemption, and eternal victory.
When Jesus meets you in the fire, the very thing that was meant to destroy you becomes the place of your greatest encounter with Him.
Live indomitable.
Life Group Discussion Questions
Have you ever bargained with God? How did that shape your faith?
Why is “Even if He does not” such a powerful statement of trust?
What pressures are you currently facing that test your convictions?
How can worship—not logic—shape your response in difficult times?
Who needs encouragement from you to stand strong in the fire?
Comments