Week of Monday April 28 - May 4
Lifted through Loyalty – Man as Provider
"Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court." - Daniel 2:46-49 ESV
George Shultz, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan, would invite the new ambassadors into his office, one at a time, for a five to ten minute chat. Secretary Shultz reportedly would say:
“OK, Mr. Ambassador or Madame Ambassador, you’ve passed all the tests. You’ve been confirmed by the Senate and you’ve passed your security investigation. You’ve done all the things to get the position of ambassador, but you have to pass my test. I have one more for you.” And he’d take them over in the Secretary’s office to where there was this massive globe, and he’d say, “I’m going to spin the globe and I want you to put your hand on your country.” Shultz would tell this story, and he said, “Every single one of them failed. But I let them go anyway.” Because whenever he spun the globe and he’d say, “I want you to put your hand on your country,” they’d always put their hand on the country that they were going out to. His point was your country is the United States.
Daniel was also assigned to serve in a foreign country, a nation that was hostile to the faith he held. The rulers he worked under were some of ancient history’s most powerful, ruthless, and egotistical kings. To fail or contradict these monarchs could mean death. In this chapter, Daniel, his three friends, and all the wise men of Babylon were threatened with death if they could not reveal the contents and interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (see verses 5-13).
Yet because of Daniel’s loyalty to God, he was granted favor with the king’s captain of the guard and was spared for a day. Daniel used that opportunity to pray and urge his friends “to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery” (verse 18). God graciously answered, and Daniel not only praised God (verses 20-23) but also gave full credit to God when he supplied the answer to the king (verses 27-30). As a result, the king admitted that Daniel’s God was the only true God (verse 47).
God placed Daniel in a hostile environment and, here in chapter 2, an impossible situation. Yet Daniel demonstrated incredible faith and allegiance to God. Daniel never forgot where he came from or whom he ultimately served. Consequently, instead of being executed, Daniel and his friends were elevated. God lifts those who are loyal to Him.
We must never forget where our home and allegiance truly lie. We are citizens of the kingdom of heaven and owe our allegiance to heaven’s King—Jesus. We must courageously stand for the Lord in our hostile culture without compromise or cowardice. Daniel’s faith and character are a model for the man of God today and the sort of example we must strive to provide for others.
Our lives, values, and character reflect our loyalties. The people within our circle of influence witness our testimony and notice when we stand for righteousness during challenging seasons of life. When we dare to be a Daniel, the same God of heaven he served will support and empower us, and may even elevate us to positions of influence, using for His glory!
Lifted through Loyalty – Man as Provider
"Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court." - Daniel 2:46-49 ESV
George Shultz, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan, would invite the new ambassadors into his office, one at a time, for a five to ten minute chat. Secretary Shultz reportedly would say:
“OK, Mr. Ambassador or Madame Ambassador, you’ve passed all the tests. You’ve been confirmed by the Senate and you’ve passed your security investigation. You’ve done all the things to get the position of ambassador, but you have to pass my test. I have one more for you.” And he’d take them over in the Secretary’s office to where there was this massive globe, and he’d say, “I’m going to spin the globe and I want you to put your hand on your country.” Shultz would tell this story, and he said, “Every single one of them failed. But I let them go anyway.” Because whenever he spun the globe and he’d say, “I want you to put your hand on your country,” they’d always put their hand on the country that they were going out to. His point was your country is the United States.
Daniel was also assigned to serve in a foreign country, a nation that was hostile to the faith he held. The rulers he worked under were some of ancient history’s most powerful, ruthless, and egotistical kings. To fail or contradict these monarchs could mean death. In this chapter, Daniel, his three friends, and all the wise men of Babylon were threatened with death if they could not reveal the contents and interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (see verses 5-13).
Yet because of Daniel’s loyalty to God, he was granted favor with the king’s captain of the guard and was spared for a day. Daniel used that opportunity to pray and urge his friends “to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery” (verse 18). God graciously answered, and Daniel not only praised God (verses 20-23) but also gave full credit to God when he supplied the answer to the king (verses 27-30). As a result, the king admitted that Daniel’s God was the only true God (verse 47).
God placed Daniel in a hostile environment and, here in chapter 2, an impossible situation. Yet Daniel demonstrated incredible faith and allegiance to God. Daniel never forgot where he came from or whom he ultimately served. Consequently, instead of being executed, Daniel and his friends were elevated. God lifts those who are loyal to Him.
We must never forget where our home and allegiance truly lie. We are citizens of the kingdom of heaven and owe our allegiance to heaven’s King—Jesus. We must courageously stand for the Lord in our hostile culture without compromise or cowardice. Daniel’s faith and character are a model for the man of God today and the sort of example we must strive to provide for others.
Our lives, values, and character reflect our loyalties. The people within our circle of influence witness our testimony and notice when we stand for righteousness during challenging seasons of life. When we dare to be a Daniel, the same God of heaven he served will support and empower us, and may even elevate us to positions of influence, using for His glory!
- Are you daring to be like Daniel when facing life’s challenges? When a crisis arises, is your first impulse to complain, or do you turn to the Lord for help like Daniel and his friends did?
- Are you providing an example of faith and loyalty to the Lord in your home, family, and church, helping to nurture the next generation of Daniels?
- Pray that the Lord will be glorified through your example of faithfulness so He can increase your influence for His kingdom in your home, church, and community.