The Plain of Dura

Many years ago on the Plain of Dura three young men faced quite a conundrum.  The king had constructed a statue, an idol, and mandated that all in his kingdom should worship it.  The boys knew their God strictly prohibited idolatry, but to resist would mean swift and certain death. (Daniel 3)

Thousands of years later, we are faced with the same dilemma.  All around us we are enticed by and ordered to bow to the idols around us.  Our idols may not be physical statues, but they are idols nonetheless.  They are the idols of self and comfort, pride, greed and materialism.  Idols of popularity and influence beckon us, promising if we compromise just a little, they will reward us with notoriety and acceptance.  All too often we bend our knees and bow to idols that cannot hear, cannot help and cannot save.

What did those three boys do when faced with the choice of idolatry or death?  They stood firm, rooted in place, and refused to bow though it would certainly cost them their lives.  They knew the simple command of the Lord, “you shall have no other gods before Me,” and they followed it. (Exodus 20:3) In their obedience they saw the Lord save them in stunning fashion.  

What about us?  When we know the commands of the Lord do we follow them? Or do we make excuses to justify bowing before the world’s idols?  The Bible tells us explicitly that we cannot serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24) We cannot serve the Lord with half our hearts and the world with the other half.  It doesn’t work that way.  We must choose.  When, like those boys, you find yourself on the “Plain of Dura” tempted to bow to idols, will you bend your knee, or will you stand, even if it means standing alone?