Last week, we looked at Daniel's position in Babylon, which was one of influence and not control. While he had access to the king from his high position, Daniel could not control anything or anyone. He could only influence them and their decisions through his godly presence, wisdom, and cooperation. He did influence the king to the point that the king was confronted with the reality of Daniel's God being "the Most High God," but the king maintained loyalty to his Babylonian gods as well.
Daniel was a remarkable young man, on par with Joseph, for they both served pagan kings in heathen cultures and did so with distinction and grace. That is what it will take for us to serve in our Babylon, which is an accurate description for the modern world. That is the reason we are studying Daniel, so we can extract the lessons there to assist us so we can not just survive our stint in Babylon but thrive there.
This week, let's look at an essential attitude Daniel had to have if he was going to prosper and be God's agent in Babylon and that attitude (or behavior) was forgiveness.
LEST WE FORGET
It is important that we not romanticize Daniei's relocation to or role in Babylon. Daniel was there against his will. He was a prisoner or detainee of war, carried off to Babylon in a massive relocation program that was designed to obliterate his nation and people by having them assimilate into the dominant Babylonian culture. He had seen his home city of Jerusalem ransacked and destroyed. Perhaps his family was carried off with him or more probably killed. His future was radically altered from what he imagined it to be and he was forced to learn a new language and culture, while chosen (without his consent) to serve in the king's court. Yes, this was the same king who designed and led everything that Daniel had been through, which included ordering the unsuccessful execution of Daniel along with his three friends as described in Daniel 1 through 3.
We cannot forget what Daniel went through as we approach Daniel 4 and read how the king called on Daniel to interpret yet another dream. We would understand if Daniel was suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome after all he had been through. We could identify with his decision if he had chosen to have no part in assisting or comforting the enemy of his people. Yet Daniel performed nobly and well in Babylon and he could do so because he had learned to forgive his enemies and make peace with God's plan for his life.
"FOR YOUR ADVERSARIES"
How do we know that Daniel forgave the king and his captors? Let's read one verse that describes Daniel's disposition toward those among whom he was forced to live and work:
Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!" (Daniel 4:19).
There are two options to explain Daniel's response when he heard the king's dream. He was either being polite and deceptive, hiding his true feelings because he was in the presence of the king who could have his head, or Daniel had made peace with his purpose and had forgiven the king and his people. I choose to believe it was the latter. Daniel had forgiven those who had done him wrong and thus was in a position to inject his spiritual gift and divine wisdom to benefit or at least advise the king. That is remarkable.
I had a supervisor once who was nothing short of a rascal. He lied to me on numerous occasions, did not follow through on promised raises, paid me half-time instead of time-and-a-half for overtime, and stole from me and others. Then one day, my own finances were drying up (I was paid by commission at the time) and when I sought the Lord, He revealed my leanness was due to my unforgiveness toward that man. I cried out, "Why are you picking on me? I'm not the one with the moral problem; he is!" God would not relent and I learned an important lesson that God expected me to do right and be a servant to others regardless of their worthiness.
That is a lesson we tried to impart to the inmates when I was involved in prison ministry. They had to forgive those who had betrayed, disappointed, abandoned, or despitefully used them--and often there were many they had to forgive. They included police, attorneys, guards, lovers, family, children, themselves, and even God. Their forgiveness was not to be given according to the response of those being forgiven, but in response to God's will:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 4:32-5:2).
We taught them that they could not truly serve another unless they had dealt with anything they held against them. We also helped them understand that forgiveness is often progressive, which meant they would forgive at a certain level and move on, only to confront deeper levels of bitterness and anger. They then had to repeat the process.
Do you really want to succeed and not just exist in your Babylon? Have you made peace with those who wrongfully used you? Have you forgiven them to the extent that you can do them good, just like Daniel did in Babylon? Your purpose and creativity are not your own; God gave them to you and wants to direct how they are used. If you have not forgiven, however, it is like a knot in a garden hose. The water may be on but it can't get past the knot and your purpose is the same. It cannot get past the knot of unforgiveness. When I forgave my boss, my finances were restored and I later realized he was part of my seminary training for the ministry, for he taught me lessons no classroom could impart. I pray that you will make the most of your lessons too so you can take your place on a Babylonian stage as a main actor in a purpose play that was written, directed, and produced just for you. Have a blessed week!
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2020 TRIPS: I am heading with a group to Kenya in February and Israel/Jordan in April next year. Write for information if you would like to be among those going.
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