September 11th, 20

A SERVANT IS SECOND

Today’s readings are Daniel 3 – 4 , Psalm 81, and Revelation 17.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

 ing burned by the cult of self, and that is to serve God, and God alone.  King Nebuchadnezzar was the poster boy for the cult of self.  He had a 90 foot, pure gold, statue of himself made.  He demanded that everyone bow down and worship this colossal monument to him. And that’s what the self will do.  It will demand that you make your life a monument to you – your projects, desires, ambitions, and reputation.  It’s all about you.  And religion joins in the frenzy, demanding everyone comply.  All who refuse are done away with, condemned to flames.  King Nebuchadnezzar’s religious leaders were his enforcers of the lie.   And that’s what religion does.  It enforces the lie of the self.  The cult of self and the damning flames burn at the hottest temperatures and are never satisfied.

A servant is second, and lives on behalf of another.

There’s only one way to escape these white hot flames.  It’s by being a servant and not a statue.  A servant is second, and lives on behalf of another.  Only servants, in the end,  are saved from the fire – the ones who refuse to make life a colossal monument to self, but rather make their life a daily devotion to Him.  He stands with us in the heat, getting us through the flames of this life, untouched and unharmed by the condemning flames of self –  just like he did with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  They were determined to worship God rather than their own life and comfort.  Daniel 3:28 says:  

They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Recognize the destructive lie of the cult of self, and refuse to build a monument to it.  Instead, as His servant, look to God, and be rescued by him, from the flames of this world.  Keep your eyes on Him.  There’s life for His servants.

You are loved!