Daniel 3:17-18

Daniel 3:17-18

[17] If  it be so, our God  whom we  serve  is  able  to deliver  us from  the burning  fiery  furnace,  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. 

What does Daniel 3:17-18 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

They said they believed the Lord could deliver them from any fiery furnace and that He would deliver them. However, they also acknowledged the possibility that it might be God"s will not to deliver them. God does not always save the lives of His children when they face martyrdom. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego knew this, but they had no question about God"s ability to save them (cf. Matthew 10:28). Whether God would deliver them or not, they refused to serve idols or to bow before the king"s image ( Exodus 20:3-5).
"The quiet, modest, yet withal very positive attitude of faith that these three men display is one of the noblest examples in the Scriptures of faith fully resigned to the will of God. These men ask for no miracle; they expect none. Theirs is the faith that says: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," Job 13:15." [1]
". . . Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego loved Yahweh more than life itself. Not only had they learned to recite the Shema-"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" ( Deuteronomy 6:4-5)-but they made it the center of their lives. For them the will and glory of Yahweh meant more than fame, position, or security." [2]
"Those who believe the saying, "Every man has his price!" should consider well the response of these men in this crisis when their lives were at stake. They could not be bought-for any price!" [3]
"The courteous but determined refusal of the Hebrews should be carefully observed. They had obeyed "the powers that be" as far as conscience permitted. They journeyed to the Plain of Dura. And right at the point where conscience shouted, "No further!" they rejected the temptation to be arrogant in their non-conformity. As Daniel before them had been courteous in his request to follow his convictions, so these three verbally acknowledge Nebuchadnezzar as king, while committing their ultimate allegiance to the King of kings alone. (cf. Acts 5:29; Matthew 22:21.)." [4]