A Worthy Work

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. His armies surrounded the city and attacked it. The Lord handed Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, over to him. Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the objects from God’s temple. He carried them off to the temple of his god in Babylon. He put them among the treasures of his god. Daniel 1:1-2

This past week I started reading the book of Daniel. But I didn’t get far. I have stayed put in the 2nd chapter for days, trying to understand and reconcile what I’m reading. And how I can possibly, maybe, with lots of God’s help, live like Daniel.

Here’s where I got stuck. After Nebuchadnezzar, as referenced above, invaded and destroyed Jerusalem, he had a dream. A dream in which he threatened to tear people from limb to limb and burn down their homes if they didn't tell him what he dreamed and what his dreams meant. Enter Daniel. Who after prayer, with his equally God-surrendered friends, got the full download of the king’s dreams. 

After describing the dreams, Daniel began the interpretation of those dreams with this declaration: “Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. He has made you the ruler over all the inhabited world and has put even the wild animals and birds under your control. You are the head of gold.”

These are impassioned words that Daniel is saying to the king who destroyed his city, captured him and his friends, and spared no thought or conscience at killing anyone and everyone who disagreed with him. Daniel demonstrated and spoke with incredible honor and respect!!! To this vile king! 

I immediately thought of our current world. Democrats would rather cut out their tongues than say such words to President Trump. Republicans would do the same if a democrat was president. Then I think of countries in this 21st century where people are beaten, imprisoned and killed for following Christ. Just like in Daniel’s time. 

And then after all the dream business, Daniel, to prove the point that he was sincere and not just blowing smoke, goes on to become the top dog in Nebuchadnezzar's government. He worked for this despicable ruler!

Now, I am no Bible scholar. Just a simple girl reading a true story about 4 young men who loved and served and surrendered their lives to God at the risk of furnaces and lions. And after several days and lots of hours of prayer and thought, here’s where I’ve landed.

Everything Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar was true. At that time Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest of kings, the head of gold. Everything and everyone was under his control. Daniel understood that. But he never allowed the king’s rule to affect his worship of the one true God. In fact, he understood the difference so well that he accepted and willingly worked for the king, undoubtedly with love and compassion. All of which is incredibly thought-provoking. Daniel never mixed government and God’s reign. He never put his hope in this earthly king. His hope was in God and God alone. He only rebelled when his king demanded that he forsake God. 

This is a world and a mindset that is completely foreign to me. And to the culture in which I live. Which then led me to Timothy’s words: 

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior…

These words from a man who also lived under the threat of abuse, imprisonment and death, but this time by the Romans and the religious leaders.

Daniel’s story and Timothy’s words truly are a call on my life as a Christ follower. Instead of verbal abuse and slanderous talk, I am to pray and bless those in authority with whom I disagree. Even be willing to work for! To offer prayers of blessings and prayers of thankfulness, not agenda-driver prayers in disguise. 

So I’m asking myself, can I truly do this? When I watch and read the news with fear and trembling and anger, can I pray for leaders that I fear and do not trust? The answer must move to yes. If I want to honor God, live in peace and quiet AND be a person who is known for her godliness and dignity, and be someone who pleases God then I must pray with God’s heart for the leaders of the world.

It’s what Jesus would want. 

So, I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me. But, I’ve got to believe that it is and will be a worthy work.