Daniel 4-5
While many may not initially see the connection, the first two principles I discussed are foundational to be the vessel and voice for truth that the Lord desires us to be.
First, live a life of complete dependency upon God, living a testimony where the Lord is your only provision. This is real and practical. To live your life your way and say, “The Lord is my provision,” doesn’t express the testimony God desires for us to have.
Second, refuse to bow to the things of this world; to give anything God’s place is idolatry.
Now Daniel was free to speak truth, even difficult truth, to Nebuchadnezzar, the king.
Nebby had a vision and specifically asked Daniel to interpret it. Daniel’s interpretation was that Nebby would be humbled by God for taking pride in Babylon “’till you know that the Most High rules the kingdoms of men and gives it to whomever He chooses.” This humbling would take the form of Nebby being driven into the wilderness to act like a mindless beast.
It happened as Daniel interpreted by the Spirit.
(Daniel also responded similarly in another situation with Belshazzar … even to Belshazzar’s death and Babylon’s destruction! If his hope had been, in any way, tied to Babylon or the king, could he have given the same word?)
When living under the first two principles, we are free from this world’s control so we may clearly address this world as the Lord opens doors and gives opportunity.
Daniel wasn’t eager to criticize, but he was free to speak the truth as the Lord gave opportunity.
The Church needs to be this voice. Not a constant voice of criticism or taking the freedom of speech as a right, but obediently following God and giving this world His word as He gives opportunity.
This could be judgment or encouragement or whatever the Lord wills, but in order to speak Truth to this world while in it, we must not be of it.
Jesus often had harsh words for Herod and the religious leaders while in the flesh. But He also made it clear He acted doing His Father’s will, not His own.
This means God’s word might challenge our own notions of conservative, liberal, moderate, free, slave or American. The things of the Spirit will conflict with the philosophies of this world. Be careful when you marry them.
Thoughts?
Peace.
It’s also noteworthy how God used the first two qualities of Daniel to put him in a position of respect. He had the opportunity and desire to speak the truth, but the leaders respected him when he did. (He was even quite harsh with Belshazzar, but there’s no record of a single how-dare-you.) There was no “who are you to say this” in their responses.
Christ also established His authority and there were quite a few how-dare-yous, but from those who should have known better. Others saw Him for who He is.
When the other qualities show in us, the world has reason to take us seriously.
There’s a key aspect to this point that I think merits some attention.
When you look at how the truth was spoken, it was always spoken with Daniel listening to the voice of God and saying things that were relevant because they were directly from the Spirit to that place and time.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that the ONLY reason that Daniel was effective was because the Spirit gave Him the truth to speak exactly when he needed it. While that may seem obvious, here’s what I’m getting at:
One way that we can easily miss the point of speaking “truth” is by assuming that God wants us to speak whatever truth we happen to have memorized and feel is applicable to the situation that we happen to be in.
I love that when God speaks, He will often times not only speak truth, but He will do so in a way that totally defies what the human vessel could have known at the time. It is only when the vessel is humble and waiting to be filled that it will overflow.
Now, that being said, I think it is vitally important to be steeped in the truth of God as a lifestyle…and as we do so, the truths that God brings to light will certainly be relevant to the places that God brings us to.
But the point here is that the truth should lead to humility and patience for the voice of God. That’s where the freedom comes from.
The “truth” will only be bondage to those who would try to speak it out of their own pride.
When God leads you to speak truth, hearts will be repulsed and drawn, and there will be no grey areas.
I say these things having been ensnared by this very issue. Lord forgive us of our pride.