Help For Today: A Time To Stand

Text: Daniel 3

        

The king let his power go to his head. After all, his word was the law and he did not mind pushing his weight around. It was his golden image, his law and when he said he wanted all of his subjects to bow down to it, he meant it. When the music sounded, he expected the world to come to a stop and everyone bow down to his created image. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego faced a dilemma. What were these Hebrew boys going to do. They knew God was a jealous God, and would accept no other gods before Him. But, they also knew there was a corner or two they could cut. The “spirit of compromise” was present. Could they not make some kind of movement to give the appearance of “bowing” while appeasing their conscience with, “I really did not bow.” One of the enemies’ great weapons then, and now, is compromise. Compromise your convictions for the sake of “getting along.” Every body wins, right? Wrong! And these men knew it. When the music sounded, there was no mistaking their choice. No one could question, “Did they bow, or not?” It did not take long for the king to get word of their action, or “inaction.” They did not bow. They did not bend. They did not try to “play both sides.” While the earthly king was furious, at least he knew the truth. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego had made it clear where they stood! Don’t try to straddle a fence. Stand up and be clear.

All the best and I hope this gives you “Help for Today”.

~ Clark Sims