Pentecost – Day 8 (2 July)

Sometimes, you just feel like stepping away from a situation. You feel like you have had enough of all the corruption and injustice or you can no longer handle the pain that people are inflicting on you. The stories of Daniel are meant to encourage God’s children in the midst of a corrupt and deteriorating society. Daniel and his friends serve as examples of the difference God’s children can make among people who are actually searching and fearful.

The story in Daniel 5 wants to paint a picture of how presumptuous and arrogant human nature is. Belshazzar parties while the enemy is at the city gate, and he even uses the sacred objects from the temple of God. However, God is a merciful God who finds a way to speak even to people who rebel against him – through a handwritten message on a wall. Belshazzar’s response of fear shows how insignificant we are before God and characteristic of mankind, we will always have a search for God.

Daniel’s actions, on the other hand, represent our responsibility as children of God today. Children of the Lord have nothing to fear. We have the privilege of making God’s Word known to the world. It is a message of hope and deliverance. As Daniel was known among the people of his day for his steadfast faith, we can also testify of God’s love and grace through the way we live. God spoke to us through Jesus Christ. He came to teach us not to withdraw from our circumstances, but to be the salt of the earth and light to the world in the midst of suffering. Our consolation is that our hope is not in the power of men, but in God Almighty.