At this time some astrologers[b] came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
When I was a teenager, I loved Russ Taff's music. He is a Christian singer who first toured with Amy Grant, and later the Gaither Vocal Band. He based a song on these verses, that I still hear in my head when I read about idols. This song, Not Gonna Bow, even today, plays a big part of my thinking when it comes to idols.
Not Gonna Bow
Michael Landau/James Newton Howard
Ninety feet tall and nine feet wide
Solid gold – “it must be a god”
They were told
“when you hear the music play
Fall on your knees and begin to pray”
They were told
But when the trumpet sounded
The whole world bowed
Three men stood there all alone
– they said
[Chorus]
Not gonna bow to your idols
Not gonna bow, oh no
Not gonna bow to your idols
I won’t bow down
All Bobby wanted was just to fit in
To be accepted he must act like them
He said no
“everybody does it – so what’s the fuss?
Come on, Bobby – won’t you be like us?”
He said no
And when the pressure came
He watched them bow
Bobby stood there all alone
- he said
[Chorus]
We don’t have to give in to it
We can choose to go against the crowd
This story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego teaches me that it is okay to stand up for your beliefs, especially if it is God's way and not the world's way. I think these verses, and this song is one of the greatest stories for teens today. God wants all of us to stand up for Him and for what we truly believe. It is hard with the peer pressures of the day, but it is possible, especially if we support each other and help each other as a family should. This is one good reason to have small groups of support for us, and to have your children in Youth Group and activities of your church. They can make lasting friendships and a firm foundation of beliefs. Join a small group or start one. It will be make the difference in eternity!
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