WILL YOU BOW?

DAY 88

Daniel 3:6 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.

In some cultures, bowing is a form of greeting, it is simply a show of respect for age and authority or even to apologise. However, in the language of scripture, a bow connotes an entirely different proposition: with allegiance being the ultimate interpretation. Therefore, a bow is not simply a physical action, it begins from a posture of the heart sponsored by a conviction. Simply, you first bow in their heart before your body shows it.

We read today about the extent to which king Nebuchadnezzar went to get Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to bow to the golden image. Every flute, lyre, harp and all kind of music was employed to serve as a pointer, and that I found relevant. How many darts, obstacles or avenues are thrown onto our paths to cause us to bow, and with it, give our allegiance?

Interestingly, whenever a bow is sought, a reward or a cost is involved. For the three Hebrew boys, their lives were the wager whereas for Jesus, the promise of the Kingdoms of this world was the reward He stood to gain if he bowed (Mt 4:8,9).

Not bowing then could prove quite costly, but neither Shadrach, Meshach nor Abednego lost anything. In fact, they were promoted and Jesus, was given a name above all names at the mention of which every knee should bow. So for you, in that situation where your choice is between God and the promises or threats of life and men, will you bow?

#sly