URC Daily Devotion 21 August 2024
Daniel 3: 1 – 16
King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue whose height was sixty cubits and whose width was six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent for the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counsellors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to assemble and come to the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counsellors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. When they were standing before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up, the herald proclaimed aloud, ‘You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.’ Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshipped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Accordingly, at this time certain Chaldeans came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘O king, live for ever! You, O king, have made a decree, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, shall fall down and worship the golden statue, and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These pay no heed to you, O king. They do not serve your gods and they do not worship the golden statue that you have set up.’
Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?’
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defence to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.’
Reflection
At the time of writing Rishi Sunak’s election campaign had experienced a setback when he prematurely left the 6th July D-Day celebrations. Beyond the absence of Mr Sunak, one can imagine the diverse array of dignitaries, officials, and national leaders who would have been present at the ceremony. In our reading, a similar ceremony would have featured a comparable range of dignitaries. However, instead of dedicating their attention to those who died in battle, they were compelled to focus their adoration on a single individual: King Nebuchadnezzar.
Scripture does not mince words: such extravagant behaviour is identified as idolatry and is unequivocally condemned. Pastor Ed Stetzer writes: “Is it that a 12-inch tall piece of wood or bronze can do something bad to us? Or is it that we do something awful to ourselves when we place adoration and attention that should go to God, in other things? When it comes to idolatry, the danger is not in an item… it is in us.”
Stetzer’s insightful words remind us that contemporary culture is not immune to the perils of idolatry. Modern idols take many forms, including the worship and prioritisation of identity, the pursuit of money and power, the entertainment industry, sex, comfort, and technology. While this list is not inherently negative, and modern society might struggle to function without these elements, Stetzer cautions us about the potential self-harm inflicted by idol worship. Our reading reminds us of the cost of deliberately avoiding idol worship. Each choice carries consequences.
This should not surprise us. As Jesus stated, “Anyone who wishes to follow me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” (Matt 16.24) While this may evoke the fear of an existential void opening within us, it ultimately inspires the profound joy of allowing God’s love and worship to fill that vacated space.
Prayer
Good and gracious God,
We confess that many modern idols seize our imagination
Our adoration from the source of all goodness and love.
May the Spirit highlight such idols which have taken root in our lives.
May your forgiveness touch us,
May your healing restore us,
And may your guidance lead us to a place where we adore you all the more.
Amen.