To whom do you give your worship? The context of the plain of Dura is instructive in the narrative of Daniel 3. Dura is thought to come from the Akkad name “Duru” meaning a “walled place,” pointing to a defended place. In this setting we see gold, the most precious metal of the time, representing display of wealth and its idolatrous positioning.

This is not different from what as believers we face today, the test of faith in the face of forced idolatrous worship and the readiness of our God to intervene on the part of the faithful for deliverance. Three times in the scripture we see this test playing out:

1. The 3 Hebrew children who would rather die than deny the true God, Yahweh (Daniel 3)
2. Daniel in the conspiracy of men against an anointed of the Lord, for who earthly position and grandeur cannot be traded for loyalty to and intimacy with Yahweh (Daniel 6)
3. Esther of the “if I perish, I perish” fame in the defense of God’s people with the sacrifice of her life. Each of these three set up the stage for God to show up

These all point to the choice that we must individually make, succinctly described in Ecclesiastes 7:2; a choice between:

1. what can give the life of God (John 10:10b), or
2. the lie promised by Satan (Luke 4:5-8)

You think money can provide all that you want, comfort, protection etc. but only God, the true God, Jesus Christ guarantees life, not necessarily here but with Him (Hebrews 11:33-40).

The test comes in various shades, but it all comes down to who you have given your worship to. Beloved saint, there is no middle of the road. Would you reflect on the following scriptures:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Psalm 86:8-10

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy. Psalm 33:6-18

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. Revelation 15:4.

What has contemporary logic caused you to bow the knee to? Selah.




Pastor Afolabi Oladele