DANIEL 5:10-17 CHARGING YOUR LIGHT

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

¹⁰ The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “O king, live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! ¹¹ There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king, I say—appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. ¹² This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”
¹³ So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? ¹⁴ I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. ¹⁵ The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. ¹⁶ Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
¹⁷ Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

As a man of God in the service of God, Daniel and his services are not for sale. He already is the servant of the One who created and owns everything. No man can claim power over Daniel. He will do whatever God would have him do and speak only that which God would have him speak. When he solved Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams he did so the first time so that “he and his friends would not be executed” (2:18), and the second in order to warn the king to repent of his pride. He accepted the honors bestowed on him by Nebuchadnezzar, but they were not what motivated Daniel.

The true sign of integrity is doing what you are called to do regardless of the consideration of reward or punishment. The only sure source of such integrity is our relationship with God. Through faith in the truth of God’s self-revelation, we can have the security necessary to stand for God regardless of the nature of the subsequent reaction. This is not a matter of heroic self-will, but it is rather the result of the growth in faith that comes from consistent communication with God through Scripture study, prayer and learning to trust God with the small decisions in daily life. The more we consciously allow ourselves to experience God the better prepared we will be to submit ourselves to him when we face major challenges.

It is good to keep a flashlight next to your bed in case the lights go out. But if you do not keep the batteries charged, more than likely that flashlight will be of little use in an emergency. Your faith is the light of Christ that you shine in the world. But if you do not keep your faith charged, your light cannot shine.

It is so easy, Lord for my faith to become discharged through the lack of a conscious connection with you. Help me to stay connected to you. Inspire me to dedicate myself to knowing you better and being more open to your revelation. Today arouse me to seek you in the little daily decisions I must make. Build in me the habit of faith. Amen.

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