Golden Image
King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue, ninety feet high and nine feet thick. He set it up on the Dura plain in the province of Babylon. He then ordered all the important leaders in the province, everybody who was anybody, to the dedication ceremony of the statue. They all came for the dedication, all the important people, and took their places before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had erected. (Daniel 3:1-3)
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In today’s Babylonian mindset there are many worthy images to bow down to… There is the image of perpetual youth that is displayed before us on TV. and magazine cover. These are young women who are tall and thin and without blemish. The young men are also tall, handsome, and muscular. They are sported as our very best and that all should be like them… they are intently gazed upon, photographed, talked-about and exalted.
Our society is built on such illusions. Illusions of human ability, achievement, and advancement. The belief is that all that is worthy can and will be found within the human mind. A mind-set that requires worship… driven by performance.
Babylonia is very religious. They are always doing, always performing, and always engaged in some sort of sacrifice. They have written and unwritten long lists of do’s and don’ts, they love legalism. Everything needs to appear proper; the appearance of goodness and kindness is their continual hallmark. They never offend, they never scold, they never rebuke, ‘to each their own’ is one of their motto’s… as long as you still pay homage to their religious image...
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
Regardless of the outcome three men stood with courage and conviction before an unjust King and an unrighteous false religion. They resolved in their heart to only worship the God of their fathers and to do so unashamed. To them honoring God was more important than appreciation and acceptance.
God seeks such men and women who have such conviction… who have His heart in mind and who seek His honor rather than illusion.
The God we serve is not an illusion. He is more than willing to prove himself strong to those who standup for Him.
~
In today’s Babylonian mindset there are many worthy images to bow down to… There is the image of perpetual youth that is displayed before us on TV. and magazine cover. These are young women who are tall and thin and without blemish. The young men are also tall, handsome, and muscular. They are sported as our very best and that all should be like them… they are intently gazed upon, photographed, talked-about and exalted.
Our society is built on such illusions. Illusions of human ability, achievement, and advancement. The belief is that all that is worthy can and will be found within the human mind. A mind-set that requires worship… driven by performance.
Babylonia is very religious. They are always doing, always performing, and always engaged in some sort of sacrifice. They have written and unwritten long lists of do’s and don’ts, they love legalism. Everything needs to appear proper; the appearance of goodness and kindness is their continual hallmark. They never offend, they never scold, they never rebuke, ‘to each their own’ is one of their motto’s… as long as you still pay homage to their religious image...
~
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)
Regardless of the outcome three men stood with courage and conviction before an unjust King and an unrighteous false religion. They resolved in their heart to only worship the God of their fathers and to do so unashamed. To them honoring God was more important than appreciation and acceptance.
God seeks such men and women who have such conviction… who have His heart in mind and who seek His honor rather than illusion.
The God we serve is not an illusion. He is more than willing to prove himself strong to those who standup for Him.
posted by Michael Byrd at 8:50 AM
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