When The Music Plays

At the sound of music, King Nebuchadnezzar order everyone to bow to his golden image or be thrown into a blazing furnace (Daniel 3:4-6). The king represents the spirit of this age that threatens unbelievers and believers alike to bow to his ruling influence.

Only those who have allowed the separating work of the the Holy Spirit will be able to resist such threats and intimidation. There is no mixture, pollution or worldly hold in their hearts that causes them to compromise or yield. Such were the three Hebrew men who refused the king's order. They were thrown into the furnace heated seven times (verse 19). But God was present and walked among the tongues of fire that did not consume them.

So too God will be with us in times of testing and difficulty to bring about a testimony of His sustaining power to keep us. God will do much more than deliver us. He will break any stronghold in our lives that keep us bound. The ropes that bound the men melted like wax enabling them to walk freely with Christ!

Right now you may be going through a difficult time. Bills are stacking up with little money left for food. Your rent is overdue and you wince when opening the mail box. Any day the eviction notice may arrive. Or you are falling behind at work with the heavy demands and responsibilities. Soon the boss will call you into the office to give you a warning. Your health is not doing well. Recovery from what was a simple cold has turned into something worse and you fear the outcome.

In these times, we must not bow to the spirit of this world that tells us to compromise or give up on following Christ. As if abandoning Him to follow in the way of the world will make life any easier! No beloved, let the king or spirit of this world play their songs and bow to their mute, deaf and impotent gold-plastered god.

We hear a different song - yes, a song in the night - that cheers our hearts and causes us to follow the Lord right into the furnace. We have this promise in Isaiah 43:2, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (KJV). So we say, "Lead on, King Jesus, lead on!"

Be encouraged beloved. One day when this life has passed with all its pain, trials, heart aches and dark seasons, we will look upon His lovely face. It says, "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" (Revelation 5:9, KJV).

There in that heavenly place when the music plays, we bow to the King of Kings who has walked through fire and the raging rivers of death to bring us home.