therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that king nebuchadnezzar had set up. [daniel 3:7]
bow to the gods of this world – and die.
bow to the God who made this word – and live.
everyday “peoples” of every “nations, and languages” are falling down and worshipping the gods of this world. they do not know what awaits them for this rebellion to holy almighty God is an eternal life of suffering in fire away from the presence of the Lord.
“then he will say to those on his left, ‘depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ ” [matt 35:41]
God does not wish any to perish apart from him. he longs for all to come to repentance. [2 pet 3:9]
Jesus wept over jerusalem for those who rejected him. and hear this – those who rejected that he alone could satisfy their soul, give them what they were made for – the presence of the Lord. [matt 23:37] God does not punish because his feelings are hurt. holy God must judge the creation’s rebellion against the holy Creator. and know this, he punished his son Jesus – so we could be restored to his presence.
still, many choose to bow to the gods of this world.
today, if you have never bowed to Jesus to find life him – do so now.
confess your sin, that you have sought many other things to satisfy your soul.
turn to Jesus and trust him, confess him as KING of your sin and your life. confess that he has paid the punishment for your sin. this means he has conquered the judgment on you for sin. he is King over your sin if you trust him now. but, you also must trust him as king over your life. he doesn’t save you from your sin to just let you go right back to a life of seeking satisfaction in everything and anything but him. no. he loves you too much, longs for your presence too much. he must be King of your sin and your life. trust him now – and he will save you and give you life.
bow to Jesus – find life.
keep bowing to the gods of this world – and you will only know death.
for believers:
there are many, you and i know, who are bowing unto death.
let’s ask the Lord to break our hearts for these “peoples” near us and far from us.
let’s ask the Lord to give us tender hearts to pray for them to be saved and for us to be used in the salvation message.
break our hearts o Lord. save these our family, our friends, our neighbors, and even those who are far from our daily walk. and Lord, use us. send us. let us be your feet and your voice to those who are bowing unto death.
in Jesus name – amen!
~ john ryan