Broadening Your Witness V

Daniel 5 - The Handwriting on the Wall

The key moment in the story is when Belshazzar calls for their feasting and drinking to be from vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem. They were using vessels consecrated to the LORD and then praising their own gods as they drank from them. Again, the storyteller is vivid in his portrayal of the events - the appearance of the human man, the great fear of Belshazzar, and once again, the absolute failure of the temple court to be any help at all. The promise of the King is that the interpreter of the handwriting on the wall will get the third position in the kingdom (the same position Joseph had with Pharaoh).

Daniel's interpretation tells of the imminent loss of the kingdom for
Belshazzar because he refused to humble himself. In Daniel's words, "But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways." Notice the summary of Nebuchanezzar's reign in verses 18ff. This is in harmony with Romans 13:1-7, in which temporal rulers are in power by God's hand. How is that true? Did God put Nero in his position as emperor, Hitler as "Furher", and Sadaam Hussein as dictator? If so, God has become the co-sponsor of some of the most awful deeds in world history. I struggle with this. I similarly struggle with the book of Exodus when it says that "God hardened Pharaoh's heart." People put these people in power. I understand that they are accountable to God for how they rule, but I'm not so sure that God put them in power. What do you think?

Daniel 6 - In the Lion's Den

Of all the stories of Daniel, this is most well-known. The Medes consolidated power by using some of the leaders who were already there. Daniel does so well that he is about to be made number 1 in the kingdom, just below the king. Again, the displaced rulers set up a trap for Daniel, just as they had done with the 3 young men in the fiery furnace.
Daniel is caught worshipping the LORD, in violation of the decree, and by law, is thrown into a den of lions. Darius is pictured well in this story, as one of the victims of the deception. He is also pictured as vy sympathetic to Daniel's faith. Like Nebuchadnezzar he confesses belief in Daniel's God. And just as those who threw the men into the fiery furnace were killed, so those who set up the plot are also destroyed by the lions -even before their bodies hit the ground.

Again, this is a story to encourage the faith of the people in times of slavery. It is a vindication that they are God's people and that he will act on their behalf. What message do you see in this for our own day?

John 15:18-16:33

Just as Daniel experienced persecution and false accusations and entrapment, so did the disciples of Jesus. He warned them about it ahead of time. One of the great benefits of the Holy Spirit is to give them a very real sense of God's presence and even hopeful joy in the midst of persecution. One of the issues here is that, when we are persecuted, we need to examine our hearts. Sometimes we are persecuted because we deserve it and God uses those difficulties to get our attention and lead us to repentance. If we are right in our motives, then persecution often becomes a refining process that deepens our faith and strengthens our leadership. The emphasis in this passage is on the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit (added to the power to witness and the power to teach, convict of sin and guide). I hope you are seeing along with me just how practical the power of the Spirit is in our lives. Have a great evening and a victorious day tomorrow, no matter what the circumstances.