DANIEL 2:24-28a THE WITNESS

Written by , Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
 

²⁴ Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”
²⁵ Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.”
²⁶ The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”
²⁷ Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.

Can you imagine the opportunity that was open before Daniel at that moment? He stands before the most powerful person in the empire and has the sure and certain answer to the king’s dilemma. In addition, all the other wise men of Babylon had not only failed Nebuchadnezzar, but were so pitiful that they would not even try. It would have been so simple for Daniel to simply answer the king’s question, “’Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?’” with a simple “Yes.” After all, it would have been the truth. For most of us the temptation to rationalize or employ a half truth in order to “earn” the praise and gratitude of such a powerful person would have been overwhelming.

Daniel, however, had disciplined himself from the beginning of his captivity to live his life in obedience only to God. So, it is natural for him to stand before Nebuchadnezzar and declare to the king the true source of the answer to the mystery and at the same time witness to him about a power greater than he. Daniel rejects the twin temptations of self-promotion and self-preservation in order to make God and God’s power known.

What we can learn from Daniel is that success in the big challenges of living a faithful life is founded on making God-centered decisions in our daily personal living. If we discipline ourselves to focus exclusively on God as far as our habits and motivations, then when we are called upon to be a witness in a more public way, we will respond to the glory of God.

As Daniel was totally dedicated to you, O God, long before he was to face the challenge of Nebuchadnezzar, help and empower me to truly turn control of every aspect of my life over to you. Save me from my natural instinct to promote and preserve myself. Grow me so that I may do everything with the intention of glorifying you. Amen.

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