This week we have been exploring the bravery and faith of Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We have been using their experience to ask important questions about our own faith today.

These three young men refused to bow down to the king’s statue. But why?

In the Ten Commandments God says: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything… You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:3-6).

In the Bible, our relationship with God is sometimes described like a marriage. We are to live in a committed and monogamous relationship with him. When we turn away to other “gods” or live unfaithfully, it is an act of spiritual adultery.

Our loyalty matters—and is actually good for us. Since God is always good, holy, wise, loving and true, centring our lives on him is always the best thing for us. When we turn away, we are bringing worse things into our lives, not better things.

I highly doubt that you worship a golden statue or carved image. But are there times when you are tempted to seek some sort of spiritual power or knowledge that is not from God? If so, that could be idolatry (and it has consequences). Are there times when you put something at the top of your priority list that isn’t God? This too has consequences and may be a form of idolatry.

God wants us focused on him not because he needs the attention. He’s not an insecure fifth-grader. He wants us to live this way because he loves us and wants what is best for us. 

When we do, our lives will increasingly reflect the goodness he has planned for us. As the Commandments say, when we remain true, his steadfast love will continue to shower upon us.

Notes:

-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on February 2, 2026.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.