Unbending Conviction

"If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

While the world wants us to conform to its ways and bow the knee to its gods, we are called to march to a different drum...to the rhythm of heaven. We are called to glorify and reverence God with "unbending conviction" and to remain true to who God is and all that He has revealed to us.

Some people only respond to God in a moment of crisis or of great revelation but are not prepared to live for God in their daily lives where their loyalty is tested. The problem lies in the idolatrous heart of man where selfishness dwells and where ungodly leanings will often focus on our desires and move us further away from God.

The word for this is "pride." From the Fall of man to the tower of Babel to the image that is set up in Babylon to the worldly, the spirit behind Babylon is mostly revealed in pride which shows itself in three ways: Opposing God, Exalting Self, and the Worship of Idols.

The king of Babylon heard his dream explained and interpreted and he immediately said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings..." However, his proud heart would not let the revealed dream have its desired effect on his life. Instead, King Nebuchadnezzar had an image made that attempted to change the outcome of the dream and exalt his own kingdom. Is it possible that you do the same thing?

Do you RE-INTERPRET God’s will to conform to your own desires?

King Nebuchadnezzar reimagined the entire image in gold, even though it was told to him that his kingdom was only represented by the head of gold. We must not seek to have a position higher than what God gives to us but instead live in the grace we have received from the Lord.

We know that the created cherub Lucifer became the fallen angel Satan because of his proud heart who sought to exalt himself and replace God, as we see in Isaiah 14:12-14:

“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
 On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’"

This same Satanic spirit is now being fully expressed in the king of Babylon. He wants to punish all those who do not bow the knee to his golden image. This is the way of Babylon...it demands that everyone buys in and bows down or else!

Now comes the test for Daniel's three friends. Are they going to cave in and bow the knee to this false god? It is easy to acknowledge God when it is convenient but the heart is truly revealed when things become costly. For our loyalty and convictions are tested when we have the option to do what temporarily satisfies or preserves our self.

And so the music plays. Every knee bows in worship to the image. Everyone is bowing down...everyone, that is, except three faithful men. They are still standing.

Would you have stood on that day? How about on this day? Are you standing now?

These men know who they serve. They know that God is able to deliver them and has shown Himself faithful in times past and they are confident He will do so again. But even if God wants them to suffer and die, they are never going to worship any false god. They have resolved to trust in God alone and take Him at His Word and rest in His sovereign will.

As Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him" (Job 13:15). They know that God "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power working in us" (Eph. 3:20).

DANIEL CHALLENGE:
Have you resolved to serve God alone and stay true to your convictions when tempted to compromise?

Home Group Discussion Questions:

1. Can you see where the world is asking us to conform to its ways and bow down to its idols? Discuss your thoughts on the idolatry of our times

2. Have you noticed how Satan uses music and entertainment to persuade people toward evil and allures them to follow their own sensual and selfish desires?

3. How can we stand strong when the cultural current of our world is pulling at us? What can we do to reinforce our godly convictions and to remain loyal to our God? Discuss what inspires you in your faith and motivates you to keep pressing on.