At the sound of the music, do you bow or stand?

I was inspired to write the following post by an article written by Chikera Shackleford entitled Overcoming Difficult People,  posted on Marques Jesffries blog.

It reminds me of the post that I wrote a few months ago called: How do you deal with hateful comments?

When you are in the middle of fiery trials the situations can easily overcome you.

Most times you do not know how or what to pray and the only thing that you find yourself doing is crying.

But, tears are prayers too because God understands.

When Jesus saw the level of unbelief among His friends and followers who saw all the miracles that He had done but still doubted Him, He was so overcome with emotion that all He could do was wept.

Weeping was the only prayer He needed to raise Lazarus from the grave and to strengthen the faith of the people when they saw the glory of God (John 11).

The next time that you are confronted with persecutions, trials or personal attacks,  emulate the attitude of the three Hebrew young men when they were faced with the fiery furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar made a huge golden image and commanded the people to worship the image (Daniel 3).

Then an herald cried aloud, “To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. “(Daniel 3:4-6) 

A similar situation is happening right now in our community, country and the world on wider scale.

The image represents the standards of the world. The Bible states that all that is in the world are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

It is Satan’s desire that we bow down and worship him. He offered Jesus the glorious kingdoms of this world if He bowed down and worship him (Matthew 4).

Thus, Satan is seeking worship through the idolization of all the things that the world has to offer.

The world is offering music, drugs, sexual immoralities, violence, and each one leads to the other.

The young people are enraptured with the sound of the psaltry, harp, flute – the music of this world – and they are bowing down to the image.

If you refused to bow down to the image or conformed to the things of the world you are persecuted. You are ridiculed, chastised and acused of hate crimes.

In this world, when you stand up for righteousness and do not bow to the image of the world you are thrown into the fiery furnace.

But, note carefully what happen to the King’s most mighty men who threw the three young boys into the furnace.

Therefore, because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Daniel 3:23)

Even though the king’s men were strong and powerful, the raging flame killed them as they threw the boys into the fire while the young feeble and helpless young men remained untouch.

Not even a hair on their head was singed neither their clothes smelled of smoke.

This is a powerful lesson to us when the enemy accused, robbed and spitefully used us.

We do not have to seek revenge because while they are throwing us into the fire the same fire will slew them.

Young people, when your friends are enticing you to adhere to the music and principles of this world, you can refuse because the same God who saved the three Hebrew boys will deliver you.

Even if you are thrown into the fiery furnace, He will be in there with you ensuring that you walk out untouched. Glory to God!

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:25)

The Son of God is able to save, deliver and set you free.

AMEN!

Are you afraid of the fiery furnace?

How do you deal with persecutions?