The Path of Least Resistance
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up…ad whoever down not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:4-6)
For Insight
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold. It stood ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He was so proud of his golden image he summoned his officers to come to the dedication of the statue then announced that everyone should fall down and worship the image of gold whenever they heard the music being played. Everyone complied except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Later, it was discovered that the three refused to bow down as the king had ordered and they were bound and thrown into the burning, fiery furnace.
Some might argue that they could have saved themselves a lot of suffering if they had just complied like everyone else. Wouldn’t God have understood? Would he have loved them any less if they had folded under pressure; knowing their lives were on the line? Could they have pretended to worship the king’s god but, in their heart, stayed true to the god they served and loved? Only God can answer these questions. He certainly knows our hearts and the reasons we do the things we do to survive.
Sometimes the path of least resistance seems the best and most logical path to take, but it’s not necessarily the path paced with blessing. Taking the path of least resistance doesn’t necessarily mean God will abandon or love us any less—after all he knows we’re just weak, frail, scaredy-cat humans. We could take the path of least resistance, but it might not be the place where are strengthened in faith and character. Least resistance might be easier, more tolerable, but we may miss promotion, revelation and hearing new things from God or ourselves. We may miss out on wisdom, healing, and victory. We may miss an opportunity to witness, testify, bring glory and honor to our God in a big way where others can come to know him as we do.
Life Lesson
What’s the take-away in this story? Although it’s tempting to opt for the easier path instead of taking the path of suffering it won’t be as sweet or fulfilling.
Prayer
Sometimes God, I am tempted to take the path of least resistance. Direct my path and give me your supernatural strength when I am, so I don’t miss even one blessing that suffering affords. Amen
Digging Deeper
Devotionally Yours 