What’s your favorite way to listen to tunes? From vinyl albums to 8-track cartridges to cassettes to compact discs (CDs) to MP3s, we’ve enjoyed our music in ever-changing ways over the years. These days, however, more and more young adults are reaching back to buy vinyl records again with 12,000,000 units sold in 2015 alone. These fans are all about a music experience that lets them view and hold on to an album, not simply download songs into a device. Though vinyl might seem ancient and passé to some music lovers, for others it’s classic and timeless.
Long ago, a trio of exiled Jews were definitely not enjoying a musical experience. With “the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments,” they were commanded to bow down to a golden statue of a Babylonian king (Daniel 3:4-5). Staying true to the one true God, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to hit the dirt. Their actions ignited King Nebuchadnezzar’s fury as well as the flames of a massive furnace that the three were thrown into for not bowing low before the gold (Daniel 3:13,19-23).
The young men should have been turned to ashes, but they were spared by God’s miraculous power (Daniel 3:24-27). Having chosen to worship the “Ancient One” (Daniel 7:9) instead of some king who had recently burst on the scene, the trio not only survived, but they brought praise and honor to God by none other than Nebuchadnezzar himself: “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! . . . There is no other god who can rescue like this!” (Daniel 3:28-29).
When we’re tempted to fall for the gods of this age (money, power, pleasures, and more), may we instead remain in the timeless groove of our all-powerful, everlasting God.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 41:1-36
More:
Read Exodus 34:14 and consider what it means for God to be “jealous about his relationship with you.”
Next:
What lesser gods are you being tempted to follow? How will you worship Jesus today?
godlove on January 24, 2017 at 3:41 am
How brave the trio were to defy the king’s orders and refuse to bow down to his statue out of faithfulness towards God Almighty, even knowing that death was the immediate price to pay for their act of civil disobedience! For them it was “only” bowing down to a statue, but in our time there are many other laws set in place by worldly rulers which usually go in direct contradiction with the commands of our God, be they societal laws or rules at the work-place. Now I wonder how much effort we (I included) make to stand out like the trio did, making the firm decision to obey only God our Father, regardless of the consequences. Sadly, more times than none, we dance to the groove of earthly authorities, even when it means not doing what God requires of us. Although it’s explicable (but not justifiable) that sometimes we do it out of fear of being accused of lawlessness, sometimes there is no real risk if we stand apart, it is simply more convenient to blend in with the crowd. I pray for similar courage and boldness to remain fiercely loyal to God in face of the distracting tunes of this age. Thank you, Tom, blessings to you and to everyone on here.
Tom Felten on January 24, 2017 at 7:47 am
godlove, yes, praise God for the faith He instills in us!
Gary Shultz on January 24, 2017 at 6:03 am
Hi Tom: I apologize, when I saw the picture, I figured it was Tim. He got rid of his pants, but won’t give up the old vinyl. Gee, I’m just the opposite, I can have music with out all of the space and weight of the old records. But, if I could, I would like to take up the jealous question. Not that we don’t know about that being a “thing” with God, but don’t we often consider it as a positive catalysis for us. We just seem to think God is grabby about that (being jealous) and we need to careful not to push it too far. If we would only remember, almost everything that God does is for our benefit we would do better. God through Jesus Christ has paid a great price for us He has given us a place in glory and sees us in the future as “sons”. We will inherit a heaven created for us with Jesus. I guessing you would agree “it doesn’t get any better than that”. So I find it very comforting that God may be very proactive about things that pull us away from His path for us. I do understand that the cross did not take place during the time period of the scripture event we see, but scripture and promises looked forward to redemption, to the promise. Yes, God is jealous, why should He not be? May we be warned, any thing that stands between us and God is subject to His jealousy. Thanks Tom
Tom Felten on January 24, 2017 at 7:51 am
Gary, I’m thinking TIm still has some vinyl. Yes, the electric blue pants are gone, but some things he simply can’t let go. I’m so grateful God doesn’t let us go. He love us with a perfect, jealous love. He made us, He knows what will truly bless us, He desires us to seek Him. Like you, I’m striving to turn from anything that would come between me and Him today!