Disappointment

I will not deny that I was disappointed in the results of the November 6^th election.  Moreover, I could write an entire blog on why I do not agree with Progressive Socialism.  However, I do not want to go there.  My purpose in writing my blog is aways to share what God is teaching me in the hopes that I influence the kingdom of God for His glory.  So with that out of the way, let us talk about what I am learning in the midst of disappointing political circumstances.

I have a great admiration and respect for a man named Daniel.  Daniel was Jewish and from the tribe of Judah.  In the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, things are not going well.  King Jehoiakim is the king of Judah, the southern kingdom from the original nation of Israel.  The king of Babylon marched his army to Jerusalem and the next thing you know, the land is now under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.   On top of that, humiliation, Daniel’s place of worship, his beloved Temple of God, has been ransacked and pillaged.  Then things get worse.  Daniel is among those who are brought to King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace to be immersed in Babylonian culture and thinking.  To make the leap that Daniel experienced disappointing political circumstances is not that hard.  Therefore, I decided to look at how Daniel managed his disappointment.

I needed only to read to Daniel 1:8 for my first instruction.  “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself…”  God’s economy is much different from the world’s way.   The world tells us that the end justifies the means; dog eats dog; toot your own horn. However, God tells us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.  (Micah 6:8)  I must not defile myself with the ways of the world. As Daniel set himself apart from the world of Babylon, an interesting thing happened.  He was presented to the king for "inspection" and found to be ten times better.  Wow!  The story gets better.

In chapter 2, events in Daniel's life begin to heat up.  The King of Babylon has a bad dream; his wise men cannot give him the answer he is looking for; he becomes unhinged and decides to decimate his wise men.  This decree of death included Daniel.  This is where God taught me the second lesson.  When Daniel finds himself in a dire situation, he made the matter known to his companions and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven.  Part of that prayer can be found in verses 20-22: 

²⁰ Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;

    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with him.

Daniel sets quite an example for us.  Daniel never loses sight of who God is and what God is capable of doing.  In his prayer, Daniel reminds himself, his friends and us that God is eternal, almighty, omniscient, and sovereign.  We must never lose sight of God's character. 

And this brings me to the third lesson I learned this morning.  Daniel had lined up his life, heart and attitude with God's will.  I am fairly certain it happened early in his captivity.  Nevertheless, it was in Daniel's prayer that I noticed it.  Because Daniel kept God in his rightful place on the throne, Daniel was able to accept all of the events in his life as opportunities to obey God rather than looking at them as disappointments.  When you read Daniel’s story, you do not see someone tossed about like a ship in a storm.  You do not see a man on an emotional roller coaster.  When you read Daniel’s story you see a man of prayer, a man who obeyed God without excuses and a man with a great big faith.

My instructions are clear.  Determine to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God; pray often-keeping God on the throne; contour my life with God’s will.  I hope you decide to join me.