I watched a sermon and the pastor preached a message from the book of Daniel in the Bible. I read chapters 1-4 and I spend all week trying to understand my hang-ups with the message.
“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.”
Daniel 1:1 NIV
The Book of Daniel opens with the Jews in captivity under Babylon. Daniel records the Jewish people that remain faithful in serving God even though they are in captivity in a foreign land.
“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility- young men without physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.”
Daniel 1:3-4 NIV
The king has chosen the brightest of Israel and they are being trained and educated under Babylon. They are eating and drinking what is served in the palace. They are given new names. And this is where I begin to struggle. Why are they in captivity if they are faithful? Why are they in this hostile place? What good can come if the condition is not favorable and the good they experience is temporary?
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel,”
Daniel 1:8-9 NIV
I realize I am struggling because I’m back to my formulas. I want 1+1=2. I want if you do good then only good comes your way and the same thing for bad. That isn’t real life and it isn’t a promise from God. Instead, we should choose to follow Daniel’s example and to carry our belief in God into every circumstance.
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours,
Your wife will be like fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
May you live to see your children’s children-
peace be on Israel.”
Psalm 128 NIV
God doesn’t promise us we won’t find ourselves in hostile environments. God doesn’t promise us there won’t be suffering, but He does promise us favor, grace, and mercy.
