“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8
When Daniel as a young man was deported to Babylon, along with many of his friends and associates, he was interjected into unwanted circumstances, into an atmosphere which was almost devoid of any true knowledge of worshipping the God of Israel. His help at this time was primarily the Lord Himself, who intervened to reveal Himself to the heart and soul of Daniel. It stands to reason also that God would use those of like faith around him to encourage him, as the great truths of God were known and lived by them also. In this atmosphere of radical change, and a strange language, Daniel was chosen with others to serve in the King’s court, and to be instructed in the ways and language of the Babylonians. The question then arises: “How did Daniel rise above all that was surrounding him that was in opposition to what he believed? How could he survive four empires, different kings and methods of government, and still retain his faith, being faithful to God? The answer begins with the matter of “foundations.” Daniel had received as a young man, while he was in Jerusalem, certainly sitting at the feet of knowledgable men, the great truths of God, and His ways. And though the nation as a whole had turned its back on God, and deviated from God’s ways to the point of God’s judgment having come at the hands of the Babylonians, yet, there were in Daniel’s heart, seeds of eternal truth that had been not only planted but grasped by faith. The deportation was used by God most certainly to deepend Daniel’s adherance to these truths, but especially, it increased his dependence, and faith in the God of these truths.
The second thing that we discover about God’s dealings with Daniel, in making him to be what he needed to be in the godless atmosphere of Babylon was to direct his heart to the matter of commitment. In David’s great Psalm 16, we discover a key to his life when he wrote: “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Faith is not just a knowledge of the truth, though essential. It goes further than that. It is a commitment of the whole heart to the God of the truth, according to the truth. David, as was the case of Daniel, came to grasp the reality of the presence of God, not because they chose to believe it, but because God declared it, and revealed it. It is for this reason that both men would take their stand upon the fact of God’s immutable, constant presence, counting upon His presence to provide for them, protect, and to lead them. Both men chose to “set the Lord before them,” declaring themselves to be His servants, trusting in His faithfulness to meet them regardless of the situation or the need.
There is a third aspect to the question of what made these men great in their relationship with God, though their circumstances differed radically. David writes the following: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life…” (Ps. 16:11) This fact of God revealing Himself to David, and consequently to Daniel, was essential in leading or directing the two men, men for their specific times, in God’s will, and for His purposes. Both men were brought to absolute dependence upon God, relying wholly upon Him for direction. Their hope was based upon the faithfulness of the God who had called them, to show them the way there were to choose, at the time they were to choose it. Again, by virtue of the immutable fact of God’s presence, regardless of empire or circumstances, whether green pastures, or the heat of battle, both men deliberately took their stand upon the fact of God’s faithfulness.
It was written of Sara, Isaac’s wife, “…she judged him (God) faithful who had promised.” (Heb. 11:11) This is true, vibrant faith.
Dear Father, We set thee before us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.