This is definitely not about me . . .

 

READ Daniel 5–8

We sometimes have lunch with another couple who are opposites. He likes to talk about ideas and events; she likes to talk about herself and her experiences. Neither are like Daniel; he talks about God and what God thinks and does.

In chapter five, Belshazzar had a dream and like his father, called for Daniel to interpret it, offering a rich reward. Daniel was not interested in the reward. Instead, he told this king the story of his father’s conversion to faith in the Most High God. Then he said, “And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven . . . .” preparing him for the interpretation of his dream and the doom he would face. After Daniel read the writing on the wall, Belshazzar was killed that very night. (Daniel 5:22–30)

Darius became king and was impressed with Daniel. However, the other officials in this kingdom decided Daniel had to go. They devised a scheme that would put him in a den of lions. We all know the story. When Darius hurried the next morning to see if “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Daniel replied:

O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm. (6:22)

His emphasized he relied on the Lord whom he knew had delivered him and this convicted Darius who decided:

I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. (6:26–27)

In chapter seven, Daniel has a vision in the night of “one like the son of man” referring to the promised Messiah. He tells what he saw:

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (7:14)

In this vision, four beasts are described then this person who will be given dominion, glory and a kingdom. The previous four beasts were allowed to govern but the Son of Man has greater dominion. He will be served by all peoples and nations of every language. Justice will reign and all life will be impacted by this One called the Son of Man. Good will triumph over evil in His everlasting and indestructible kingdom. No one nor anything can overrule Him or His government.

Daniel saw other events and images in his visions and was alarmed by them, but kept silent. He didn’t fully understand all that he saw so did not speculate, even though he was given an interpretation of sorts. Even now, many years later, theologians debate as to the meaning of these visions but Daniel did not do that. Instead, he prayed that God would forgive and keep His people. His focus was again on the Most High God and His power to show grace and mercy to those who humble themselves in contrition and faith.

We are living in troubling times. It seems our world has lost its moorings. However, rather than say ‘the sky is falling’ or that Jesus’ return is near, Daniel sets an example. I’m to pray, confessing my sin and the sin of God’s people, asking for grace and mercy, waiting for His answers to our current dilemmas and telling others about His goodness and power and sharing His loving desire that we put our faith in Him and live as His holy people.