Not Going To Bow


The picture above was taken in Hamburg, Germany in 1936. During the celebration for the launch of a ship one man in the crowd is seen with his arms folded during the Nazi salute. The man was August Landmesser. He had already been in trouble with authorities, having been sentenced to two years of hard labor for marrying a Jewish woman.
Not much else is known about August Landmesser, except that he had two children. We know he was killed during the war, and his wife was killed in a concentration camp during the holocaust. One of his daughters recognized her father in the photo when it was published in a German newspaper in 1991.

Landmesser’s courage is more than noteworthy. How many times have I failed to take a stand on what’s right for fear of what others may say or think? So much easier to just flow through life quietly and blend in with the crowd. His deed reminds me of a great biblical account in Babylon. Three Hebrew young me. Had been ordered to bow down in worship to a golden statue. When called before the king to give an account for their actions they found the king enraged, and they were threatened with a fiery furnace. Here are their words in response.

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18

Even if he does not...

People like Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and August Landmesser are inspirational. May we all be found so courageous for truth, and refuse to salute the kingdoms of this world.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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