"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.” Daniel 1:1-2 ESV
Today the school where our church is located has made a decision that has put allot of pressure on the church that I pastor. The beginning of the book of Daniel brought me comfort today in regard to this trial. Perhaps it will bring you comfort as well.
The beginning of the Book of Daniel describes a historical situation. "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it." Daniel begins by relating the events of the book to the deliverance of King Jehoiakim into Nebuchadnezzar's hands. The interesting thing about this beginning of the book of the book of Daniel is as in so many other historical situations, appearances were deceiving.
We read in verse 2, “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.” There is something stupendous here. Actually, God Himself was as in charge of the overthrow of Jerusalem. In fact, it was Jehovah who had brought on the destruction, sending it as a punishment for his people's sins. It says that "the Lord gave Jehoiakim into his [Nebuchadnezzar's] hand." Behind all that is happening in verses 1-2 is the Lord who “gave.” Or to say it another way, the Lord was controlling all the events that took place. It was not so much Nebuchadnezzar took as the Lord gave.
The opening verses, you see, give us a picture of history from two perspectives. There is history and there is HIS STORY. There what is going on in the horizontal level of time and space and there is what is going on in the vertical level in eternity. There is man working and there is God working. The first verse gives you a blow-by-blow account of the event, but the first words of the second verse explains to you the meaning behind and under the events. The first verse may look like the God of Israel has fallen prey to the false gods of Babylon. The second verse makes it clear that even the exile itself has been done by the determinant counsel of God. Nebuchadnezzar really wanted to take over Jerusalem. God determined from the very beginning of the world that Nebuchadnezzar would take over Jerusalem. There is a God in heaven and He is in complete control. We read in Daniel 4:17, 25,32 that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will”
The name of God used here is the name “Adonai” which speaks of God being master, owner, and in control. That revelation should cause us to change our views about how we see people, circumstances, governments, environments, and how God does things through us. We tend to focus on cultural, environmental, political, personal barriers to be able to get anything done. God is still in control even when everything around us seems to argue otherwise! Whenever events look bleak and hopeless it's always important to remember that two stories are being told at the same time in any set of circumstances. There's the story in front of the curtain. And there's the story behind the curtain. There's what I see and feel right now in the trial over our church's use of the school where we meet. Then there is what God has yet to unfold in this situation. There is more than meets the eye!
Dear friend, who you see in control of your life has everything to do with how you respond to the circumstances of life. When you see God behind the curtain ruling over your circumstances it becomes, as John Piper puts it, “The strong wood of the tree that keeps our lives from being blown over by the winds of adversity. It is the rock that rises for us out of the flood of uncertainty and confusion. It is the eye of the hurricane where we stand with God and look up into the blue sky of his mastery when everything is being destroyed. ‘When all around gives my soul gives sway, this is all my hope and my stay’.”
IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM DANIEL 1:1-2
1. There are no interruptions for God. The Westminster Confession says in its opening lines of Chapter III: “God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass.” Since that is true, Daniel will see that there is opportunity in what we think are interruptions that is all part of the plan of God. No matter how big the problem God's power, grace and sovereignty are bigger. Daniel moved out of the realm of interruption and walked through the door of opportunity. Read on in Daniel and you will see how God uses this captivity to work thin and through this young man named Daniel. We can too! The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:16 to be “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Jonathan Edwards asked the question frequently in his resolutions that he would see every situation and circumstance as an opportunity to glorify God. The God of Daniel 1 teaches us that there is nothing incidental in human life and there is nothing accidental in human life. As Warren Wiersbe said, “There are no accidents, only appointments.”
2. God provides the supernatural environment For Daniel and for us, our life situation is not too big for God’s power. They do not paralyze him. He is available for every situation from Babylonian captivity to schools restricting you.
3. Your circumstances have great potential The question of my life is not how difficult things are, how many barriers there are, or how many things or forces seem to be working against us. Life’s problems and detours are God’s interstate highways. He is using your present to glorify and show Himself even as He did in Daniels time. .
4. Look beyond your limitations The real question is “Are you willing to be used of God where He has planted you?” “Are you willing to believe him and depend upon him?” "There is a God in heaven..."Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:28, and it was that God in heaven who sustained Daniel and the people while in captivity that He planned and purposed. Daniel could not have imagined the plans God had for him: from prime minister of the court; to interpreter of dreams; to prophet, teacher; and a lifelong voice for God among pagan people.
My Prayer In Response to my trial and the God of Daniel 1:
Oh sovereign God. You rule the heavens, the earth, time, and eternity. There is nothing that happens that You don’t turn for Your glory and our good. Thank You that no matter how bad things are, no matter how foolish my choices, You can turn them all for good. Thank You that You have plans and purposes far beyond my comprehension for my good and Your exceeding glory. Help us to see behind the most frowning providence's your smiling face. Enable us to trust that nothing will thwart Your purposes. So we pray, Father, let Your kingdom come, May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus Christ’s sovereign name. Amen!
Pastor Bill
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