Images: The Image Of Kings

King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon…

Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel 3:1-7 (NIV)

For most of Earth’s known human history, people have been ruled by kings and warlords: princes of power. Because power was (and IS) the world's hottest commodity. Many of our best and brightest seek it.

But without God’s grace, power burns the hearts of those who hold it– and the searing spreads: hot steam replaces His Living Water.

The result?

  • A hardening of the heart,

  • A stiffening of the neck,

  • A widening of the mouth,

  • A compressing of the hand, and–

  • A darkening of the eyes.

Lucifer was the first to feel this burn… when he exchanged the 'Robe of righteousness' (Isaiah 61:10) to put on the 'Cloak of covetousness' (1 Thessalonians 2:5).

The goal of the devil’s push for power? Worship! God’s bright angel wanted to be worshipped. He conned one-third of the other angels that he (like God) was worthy of worship.

He even tried to convince God's Own Son: ' 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me' ' (Matthew 4:9).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Don't worship the kings of entertainment. Don’t crave or bow to their shiny statues, like the Oscars, Emmys, or Golden Globes. Don't worship any king but the True King, nor any image but His.

Strange to consider: He made His Image unremarkable, perhaps so we’d see straight through to His Heart.

  • 'Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.'

  • 'Be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'

  • 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him' (1 Peter 5:5-9).

  • 'Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' (James 4:7).

Images: The Image Of Kings (Part 6)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban