Last week, I mentioned the Apostle Paul when he was a prisoner on a ship heading to Rome. The ship ran aground but before it did, an angel appeared to Paul and foretold what would happen but assured Paul that no lives would be lost, after which he told the crew, "So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island" (Acts 27:26-27). Now my question to you is: Who was in charge, who had the power, on that ship? Was it the experienced sailors? No, it was Paul for he was the only one who had clarity on what was going on.
That leads us to this next-to-last lesson about Daniel and his exile in Babylon, and I will ask the same question as above: Who was really the leader in Babylon? Was it the king? Was it his wise men and advisors? Was it the armed guards or army who surrounded and protected the king? No, I would suggest it was Daniel, and let me devote the rest of this Memo to explain why I make that claim.
THE REAL POWER
Daniel was the real leader for six reasons. Since Daniel's purpose was to be a source and dispenser of wisdom in Babylon, I will use the book of Proverbs (all verses from the NKJV) to justify my claim that the true leadership power resided in and with God's prophet and administrator:
- The power of wisdom: A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength (Proverbs 24:5).
- The power of revelation: Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength (Proverbs 8:14).
- The power of service: Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; so he who waits on his master will be honored (Proverbs 27:18).
- The power of excellence: Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men (Proverbs 22:29).
- The power of prayer: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight (Proverbs 15:8).
- The power of integrity: The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them (Proverbs 10:9).
Daniel was a man of purpose and his life was undergirded by his spiritual disciplines and commitment to do exceptional work. God promoted him not based on potential but on the fact that Daniel developed his potential. Daniel served four separate kings in three different kingdoms, withstanding change and the whims of kings to ascend to the heights of governmental service where God planted him.
This was an important lesson for inmates during my prison ministry days for obvious reasons. They were walled in and surrounded by armed guards. Many felt they had to escape their Babylon before they could serve God and be effective. Our team taught them that they could be powerful and lead where they were. The same is true for you. Are you in prison in more ways than one? Are you hemmed in by your circumstances and also by how you view your circumstances? if you see them as limiting, then you will be limited. If you see them as irrelevant or as the means by which God prepared you for greatness, then you will lead, regardless of your title.
CAN WE DO ALL THINGS?
There is a verse at the end of Daniel that summarizes his life that we have studied for the last five months and it is found in Daniel 11:32: "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." There is no doubt that Daniel did great exploits in his day; can the same be said for you in your day? If you quote Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," then let me ask you one final question: Can you describe what the "all things" are that you are doing? The word can is a statement of potential but not necessarily the fulfillment of that potential. Daniel lived in his expressed potential and he serves as a model for us, whether incarcerated or not, to follow to bear the fruit God wants us to bear.
Next week, we will look at one aspect of the Christmas story as it relates to Daniel, for his influence extended five hundred years after he lived. Until next week, I pray that you will accept the fact that you have power to lead not based on authority or title only but also based on the fact that you know your God, and that gives you strength to carry out great exploits for Him. Have a blessed week!
******
GIVE A KID A CHRISTMAS: Can you contribute $25 this Christmas to feed and clothe an orphan over the holidays? Please find it in your heart to fulfill James 1:27, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world," by giving $25 or more through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Thank you and God bless you!
Comments