“Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” Daniel 2:27-28a
Starting a Bible Study series on Daniel last night brought back old feelings and remembrances, along with some new ones. Reflecting on the overall study, and discussions that followed, I am forced to ask, “Do I honestly like the way God does things!” Before you become outraged, I’m willing to bet YOU aren’t! I also bet that Daniel wasn’t either! Please allow me to explain.
I didn’t say I didn’t like God. I LOVE Him. But ‘His ways are past finding out’ (Romans 11:33). We saw it in the story of Daniel as we had heated discussions about what the heck is going on in the story of OUR world. Not that we disagreed! Good People are emotionally exhausted and spent over the ridiculousness of the increasing evil around us. Back to Daniel.
Daniel and his 3 friends were actually from the Royal Family of Judah (see Dan. 1:3). Though they proved to be more wise and handsome than a Valedictorian Quarterback, it is obvious they hadn’t had much influence at home. Evil King Jehoiakim was responsible for bringing God’s Judgment and the subsequent Babylonian exile of Judah…seemingly without warning from Dan and the boys.
Had they been praying? Had they been warning? Had they tried to influence at all? After being taken captive, tested and castrated, they were placed into a forced 3 year boot camp to ultimately become an influencing army as Nebuchadnezzar’s ‘Wise Guys!’ Yes I said ‘castrated!’ After seeing the results, castration seems to DO something to motivate a fella’!
As we talked of Daniels world, we slipped into our own, as frustrated parents began complaining about our local ‘Nazi -like’ school board! All I could do was listen in sorrow, remembering how several of us started protesting and warning parents to ‘get involved’ YEARS ago when 3 women on the board made horrific decisions over our kids. But the majority of the public remained silent. Now, like Daniel, we find ourselves… here!
I have learned that God doesn’t simply ‘take out’ His enemies. He SEEMS to prefer to let them go on to dig deeper holes! AND to see if those who call Him God will do THEIR part in His business. Unlike humans, He isn’t as immediately concerned about ‘castration-like’ abuse if His people aren’t! Which leaves me where I started. With a question…
“Do I honestly like the way God does things?” is probably not the right question. Looking at Daniel, I’m rethinking MY place in all this mess. Maybe MY question should be, “knowing what I know, what does God expect ME to do about it!?” And what do YOU say?
