“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” Daniel 2:44
When Daniel, as a young man, was led away captive to Babylon and afterward put into service by the king, he was quite alone in his heart, especially with regard to his faith in God. There is no doubt that Daniel had been raised as a child, and then, as a young man, by godly parents and tutors. From the first pages of his book, we find the testimony of his beginnings in Babylon, a place rife with idolatry and godlessness, where Daniel was not exposed greatly to the things of the God of Abraham. And yet, in spite of the decrees of the king of that day, who exerted his authority over the Babylonian empire, Daniel would begin to distinguish himself by his devotion to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His faith and courage set him apart from many, for he made up his mind that he would be God’s man in the place of God’s choosing, even though in captivity. To this young man, along with others of like faith, God would give knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, Daniel even being able to understand visions and dreams. The decrees of men, even those of the mightiest king of that time, Nebuchadnezzar, would not stop the onward, and upward faithful pursuit of God by the young man Daniel. He had tasted something of heaven in the worship of his God and would not be denied the pursuit to know more, nor be deterred from the highest service, that to God his Maker and Redeemer. Daniel would prove that His God not only existed but worked sovereignly to bring about His will and purposes, even His everlasting kingdom, on the earth as it is in heaven. The decrees of the king, and the letters of communication among the populations of Daniel’s day, would not stand the test of time and history. However, over the span of four kingdoms, and several empires, Daniel’s God would prove to mankind through him, that He is the Almighty God of history. The testimony of the everlasting God, revealed during such times, regardless of what occurred on the earth at that time between the peoples of the earth, would stand forever. Well did Isaiah the prophet write of this truth: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (40:8) It was the Lord Jesus who also clearly confirmed this by saying: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matt. 24:35) Daniel became a man among men because of the reverence, and respect he had towards God, and the words which God spoke. He found, and proved, that the presence of His God was true and real, faithful and worthy to be trusted and adored, regardless of empires. He also discovered that the faith which God gives has its absolute basis in the living words of God, which never change. They are the bedrock for the experience of knowing God and proving His faithfulness. God will do His work in His way, for His glory, and this by His mighty power and wisdom regardless of men.
So, what is the believer to do with the knowledge of the absolute, unchanging worth and power of the word of God? Direction is given to us by the words of the Psalmist in a short prayer: “My soul clings to the dust; REVIVE me according to Your word.” (119:25) God gives life and power, according to His word. The believer, like Daniel of old, is called upon to live by faith in the Eternal God, in Christ, according to the word of the Lord.
The power of the spoken word of God, of Christ, is seen when a Centurion soldier, who had a servant who was suffering extremely, being paralyzed, was healed in answer to the Centurion’s appeal to Jesus: “…only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matt. 8:8)
Dear Father, Speak Life and power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.