BOW or BURN


Nebuchadnezzar, king of mighty Babylon had conquered much of the world. The city of Babylon was most beautiful. Its wall was wide enough for 8 chariots. A great river went through the centre of the city. Its hanging gardens were one of the seven wonders of the world. From Babylon he ruled the world. He had captured Jerusalem and had taken the royal children captive. In Daniel 3
we read about three of them: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego:

One day the King made a huge gold statue of himself.
Daniel 3:1: “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was 60 cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon (v1).

Then He commanded everyone to BOW down and worship it when the music played. (talk about pride!)

Daniel 3:4-6: “Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
He threatened: “Whoever refuses to BOW I will throw them into a fiery furnace” (v6). He said: “You must BOW or else BURN.”

In life we all face pressures to compromise, to do the wrong thing for an easy life, to bow when the music of this world plays, to take the quick fix, to lie and cheat to take the easy way out, to bow to sexual immorality, and peer pressure. The devil says: “Bow to me or I will burn you.” Your faith will be tested to see what kind of stuff it is made of. Some have a superficial faith that depends on environment. While things are OK and those around them are serving God, then they go along. But if circumstances are tough, or those around them are worldly, then they compromise and fall away. True faith is at the core of your being. You trust God whatever is happening around you, or whatever your friends are doing. Pressure reveals what is in your heart, the quality of your faith.

When the music played almost everybody obeyed and bowed: Daniel 3:7: “So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.” They fell on the floor before the idol.

Many compromise because they do not have strength in their heart. God's Word in you gives you strength. Get established in the Word, until your heart is fixed trusting in the Lord (see Psalm 112). You must make a quality decision and say: “I will not compromise. I will only worship God.”
While thousands bowed down, 3 young Jewish men stayed on their feet. They refused to compromise and bow. They stood out from the crowd! As a result they were reported to Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 3:12: “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”

They were loyal to their God, the One and Only God, the Creator of Heaven and earth. He had commanded: “You shall not bow down to any graven image or worship any idol. Worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.” They were faithful to God. They stood out in the crowd.

When you don't compromise you too will stand out from the world.
Those who bowed had their eyes on the earth, but God’s eyes were under those who were standing, ready to show Himself strong:

2Chronicles 16:9: “The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” If you will stand strong for God, He will show himself strong to you!

Do you have the strength to stand under pressure, temptation and persecution? Or are going to bow under the first sign of trouble.

1Corinthians 16:13: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
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