THE HANDLING OF A CRISIS "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." -- 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 9 of 28
Being under the control of the mighty God, Arioch tells Daniel something of the decree under which he is operating. We know from the words that follow that his explanation was brief, for he had no mind to go into the details of his commission. However, he does not shout back, "Who are you to question me? If you are Daniel, you are one of the wise men, and you must die!"
HE ANSWERED
"He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain . . . " This is the second time Daniel has spoken and we are yet at the beginning of the whole episode. Already the wrath of the executioner has subsided, and he is engaged in a conversation with one of the men he has been ordered to kill. This is nothing less than the hand of the Lord! The Lord has joined himself, as it was, to Daniel, and is directing this whole affair through his faithful servant. It is actually Daniel who is in charge, not Arioch.
WHY?
" . . . Why is the decree so hasty from the king?" Daniel continues to speak with wisdom and discretion. He does not use the temporary cessation of Arioch's mission as a license for folly. His answer suggests the king is not noted for being hasty, ill-tempered, or acting without due reason. Thus, in his answer, Daniel has not drawn attention to himself, but to the nobility of the ruler under which Arioch operates. In his answer Daniel has not lied. He has not exaggerated the facts. Nor, indeed, has he resorted to superficial reasoning. In his answer, he has allowed for a further response from the king's captain.
THE SUPERIORITY OF FAITH
We ought to note the background of this occasion. Suddenly, and without apparent warning, Daniel and his friends are about to be killed. This is an occasion when fear could rise up and dominate the heart – yet it does not. Faith not only can survive sudden and unexpected tests, it can triumph over them.
Not only must Daniel be able to speak wisely, the peace of God must rule his heart. Doubt and fear must be expelled from his heart. Strength must be ministered to his heart and mind. He must be able to think soundly, speak properly, and maintain an unruffled appearance. Arioch must not be aroused to further anger by the demeanor, words, or appearance of Daniel. That certainly is a big order, but faith is fully equal to the challenge. We will see that faith does, in fact, "overcome the world" (1 John 5:4-5). It will be confirmed to our hearts by demonstration as well as affirmation.
SOMETHING TO BE SEEN
In this, a valuable insight may be obtained. At this point, God has not revealed all of the circumstances to Daniel. He has been given wisdom and discretion, but not full insight into the circumstance. He does not, however, fold his hands and assume it is not for him to know such things. This is not the way in which faith operates. He will inquire further, trusting that through such means God will open this up to him.
Faith is not humiliated because it has to ask questions. It is not demeaned by obtaining further information from others. Take, for example, the case of the mighty prophet Elisha. He received a double portion of Elijah's spirit, which itself was considerably greater than the portion given to others. On one occasion, Elisha confronted a Shunammite woman who had a child according to his prophesy (2 Kgs 4:16-17). The promised son had died in the arms of his mother shortly before. This is the woman who had prepared a special lodging for the prophet. When her son died, she took him up to that room, and laid him on the bed she had made for Elisha. She then set out to find the prophet. It is written that she "saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, "Drive, and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you" (2 Kgs 4:2 4, NKJV).
As she drew near to Mount Carmel, Elisha saw her afar off, recognizing who it was. He told his servant Gehazi, "Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child?" The woman whose son had actually died replied, "It is well."
After dismounting, the woman ran and took hold of the feet of the prophet. Thinking her conduct was unbecoming, Gehazi stepped forward to "push her away." It was then that Elisha replied, "Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me" (2 Kgs 4:27). However, the prophet did not conclude the Lord did not intend for him to know the situation of the woman. Instead, he listened to her explanation (verses 28-31). He had to learn about the situation from her, even though God would empower him to correct it.
Daniel now reacts in a similar manner. Realizing the Lord has not revealed to him the situation he now confronts, he asks for more information. God has given this man wisdom, and he will be able to handle the information he received with godly discretion.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, give me wisdom to know when I ought to ask for more information.