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. A herald then
proclaimed in a loud voice: "Attention, everyone! Every race, color, and
creed, listen! When you hear the band strike up—all the trumpets and trombones,
the tubas and baritones, the drums and cymbals—fall to your knees and worship
the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who does not kneel
and worship shall be thrown immediately into a roaring furnace." The band
started to play, a huge band equipped with all the musical instruments of
Babylon, and everyone—every race, color, and creed—fell to their knees and
worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Just then, some
Babylonian fortunetellers stepped up and accused the Jews. They said to King
Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king! You gave strict orders, O king, that
when the big band started playing, everyone had to fall to their knees and
worship the gold statue, and whoever did not go to their knees and worship it
had to be pitched into a roaring furnace. Well, there are some Jews
here—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have placed in high positions in
the province of Babylon. These men are ignoring you, O king. They don't respect
your gods and they won't worship the gold statue you set up."
The other day I heard someone greet their friend,
“How it going?” and the guy answered, “I’m living the dream.” Are you living
your dream? It looks like King Nebuchadnezzar is trying to live out his dream of
the golden headed statue which represented Babylon. In his dream only the head
was golden, but here several years later he has a huge skinny idol constructed
and overlaid with gold. Had he forgotten that he recognized Daniel’s God as the
true god? Didn’t anyone tell him about God, specifically that our God is a
jealous god, and that no one is to worship idols? For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is
Jealous, is a jealous God, Exodus 34:14. (NASB) King Nebuchadnezzar expects
everyone to kneel and worship his idol—or else they’ll be thrown into the fiery
furnace. Everyone! Who knows where Daniel is? He is not part of this well known
story, but his friends are right there in the midst of the gathering of dignitaries
invited to the dedication of this golden statue.
Now Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego won’t worship
Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. That is the right thing for men of integrity to do. Like
Daniel, his friends are standing up for what is right and following the Hebrew
teachings, which are actually God’s commandments. Our God is a jealous God and
doesn’t want anything to be worshipped instead of Him. He is worthy of our
worship and praise.
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy
of praise, dwell on these things. (NASB, emphasis mine) God is worthy
of our praise. Through Him then, let us
continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips
that give thanks to His name, Hebrews 13:15 (NASB). Fruit. Spiritual fruit
spoken for the Lord.
Lord, You are worthy of
our praise. May we be people of integrity who stand up and offer praise to You
no matter where we are.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Scripture from The Message, except where noted.
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