THE HANDLING OF A CRISIS What is the point of this narrative? Why has God provided such detail about these four captive children? As with "all Scripture," it is in order "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:17, NASB). The Lord is showing Himself to us. He is making known that faith can access Him from any place – from the Temple to the lion's den, and from Jerusalem to the fiery furnace. Faith is not limited by age or by circumstance. Allow me to briefly develop this thought. It is critical to the proper handling of Scripture. It is also essential for the encouragement of those who have put their trust in God. -- Tomorrow:
"And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon." (Daniel 2:13-18)
Devotion 2 of 28
GOD IS GREATER THAN CIRCUMSTANCE
It is possible for this point to be formally acknowledged, yet grossly neglected in practice. Our theology must find a place in our heart as well as our mind. A heartless view of God will neither sustain the soul nor bring glory to the Subject of theology.
One of the great contemporary weaknesses is the undue exaltation of circumstance. There are whole bodies of training and profession that are solely for the handling of circumstance. There are professionals in the handling of all manner of circumstance: emotional, domestic, financial, and matters of habit and moral enslavement. It is certainly not my purpose to speak derogatorily of those who do good in these areas. NO person who brings true advantage to men and women has done wrong.
However, earthly conditions and environments, though very real and important, are not fundamental in spiritual life. They are always subordinate. Jesus outlined the proper approach to life. "But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33).
We are admonished to give "thanks always FOR all things" (Eph 5:20), and to give thanks "IN everything" (1 Thess 5:18). Additionally, it is possible to be instructed "every where and IN all things" (Phil 4:12). This being true, no circumstance of itself possesses the power to overcome us. It has passed through the filter of Divine purpose, and comes with any required escapes. No circumstance has the power to shut us out from the presence of the Lord. None have the power to neutralize faith or withhold the promises of God from us. That is why it is wrong to fasten our eyes upon difficult situations, with no regard for our access to God, His grace, and His power. Our text confirms this is the case by relating the working of the Lord during unusually difficult times and situations.
FAITH BRINGS DIVINE INSTRUCTION
Every facet of salvation is "through faith" (Eph 2:8). Faith is the channel through which Divine supplies are received, and acceptable works are accomplished. One of the remarkable supplies that come to believers is instruction, or Divine tutelage. This is when every man is "taught by God. "This benefit is expressed in a number of ways in Scripture. It is couched in the language of promise.
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psa 32:8).
"For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him" (Isa 28:26).
"Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach his way" (Psa 25:8).
"What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose" (Psa 25:12).
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths" (Isa 2:3)
"Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts" (Isa 28:9).
"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children" (Isa 54:13).
While this is the norm in Christ Jesus and under the New Covenant, it was not so in the time of Daniel. However, in this young man we will see the effectiveness of faith. In a spiritually hostile environment he will be given wisdom to assess a dangerous situation. God will teach him how to respond to a threat against his life. He will also be given the knowledge and understanding of a dream he did not have.
The hour of crisis and the time of trouble are not times to get faith, but occasions to use it. Those who neglect their faith, not fighting to maintain it, will fall in the time of difficulty.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing the truth about circumstances.