The victory belongs to God

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. (1 Peter 3: 13-15)

The morning after I submitted my workplace religious exemption against the COVID vaccine, I woke with the Jeremy Camp song “It’s out of my hands” on replay in my head. God always puts music in my mind with words that resonate with promises from above. I wrote about that in a previous blog, and I’ve always believed it. 

I knew I had done my part in standing for my faith, but I still had to prepare myself for the genuine possibility that my employer would turn down my request. I had plenty of time over the Thanksgiving weekend to consider what I should do if my exemption were denied. Was I prepared to lose my job over a jab – or two or three – into my arm? Was this a foolish battle I was waging at the expense of my financial security? 

These questions and more plagued my mind. What would I do if I lost my job? Does anyone ever win when taking a stand against the government? Was I prepared to take my battle to the courts if I was turned down? How much would such a legal action cost me, and how long would it take to bring such a lawsuit into the courtroom? 

After submitting my exemption, I came across a recorded Zoom meeting with labor attorneys telling employers that only workers whose churches deny vaccination had lawful excuses for refusing the federal mandate. This exchange only deepened my insecurities. 

In my letter, I had argued that “refusing immunizations does not have to be a tenet or directive of a particular religion that I may follow.” Still, I am not a legal expert by any means. Was my petition outside a church ideology enough to win an exception? These lawyers didn’t seem to think so.

“Most of the mainstream religions that we know of aren’t opposed to this vaccine,” one of the attorneys said. “You’re really having to find someone who is almost more of a fringe belief system or fringe religion because mainstream religion, you know Catholicism for instance…the Pope even ended up coming out and saying ‘Look. Get vaccinated.” (17:04) One of the lawyers even laughed at this point. 

Is my faith a laughing matter? Not to me. Would I be mocked for my beliefs? Perhaps. How could I ever win against such a mindset? I might not. I had previously felt good about the stand I had taken for my faith. Was I being foolish? I didn’t think so.

The following day, my daily Bible reading began in Daniel 3. In this passage, the Jewish captives – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – opposed King Nebuchadnezzar’s ruling that everyone must bow down and worship the monarch’s created image. Those who opposed the royal edict would be burned alive in a fiery furnace. Although these brave men knew their lives were at stake, they refused to submit to Nebuchadnezzar’s imposed idolatry. 

When called to explain their stance, these young men responded by proclaiming their faith in opposition to the government-enforced proclamation. Despite the threat, these men were willing to defy the same – no matter the consequences. 

“King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (V. 16-18)

What happened next changed the lives of not only those who witnessed the miracle but continue to offer encouragement for everyone’s who’s ever read the story. After refusing to bow to the statue, Nebuchadnezzar ordered his furnace to be heated sevenfold, to a temperature so hot that the soldiers tasked with throwing Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego into the flames died while doing so. 

Although these three men were prepared to die for their faith, God saw fit to save them. 

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'” (V. 24-25)

Not only was the king astounded by what he saw in the furnace, but he also testified to the salvation enacted by God. 

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.'” (V. 28) 

This story became a powerful reminder to me. Not only did God provide a miracle for these brave young men, but He also used their faith to humble a king. My stance for my beliefs might not change the heart of a ruler, but it may influence others who read my words and encourage them to stand unafraid for what they believe. 

Six days after submitting my religious exemption request, my employer’s compliance office agreed to my exception. While I was jubilant at this outcome, I felt humbled by God’s grace and couldn’t help but praise my heavenly Father for this victory. After calling my mother and brother to share the good news, I texted all my friends, announcing the same. “To God be the glory!” I wrote. “Great things He has done!” 

While I wasn’t faced with a fiery furnace for opposing a government mandate, I felt just as grateful for surviving what could have been the loss of my employment, security, and financial future. Standing up for my faith has strengthened my resolve, empowered my testimony, and encouraged me never to doubt God’s promise to always be with us. 

“The Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised.” (Joshua 23:10) That’s not just an obscure verse from a forgotten period of history. That promise is just as true today as it was when Joshua proclaimed it centuries ago. My victory belongs to God, and I will never stop proclaiming it.