Daniel: Reflections on Becoming

Note from us: The last few weeks have been pretty hectic with preparations for a medical procedure and the subsequent recovery. Needless to say, we needed some help getting faith-filled insights to focus on and we have a wonderful guest blogger to help us do just that.  B. Alison Buckner is our sister/friend. She has graciously agreed to add her voice to our conversations about faith. Let's hear from her as she explores the ideas of becoming and overcoming.

Infusions of Faith

Daniel 1:8 (ESV)

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore, he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

Daniel 1:16-17 (ESV)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Daniel 2:48-49 (ESV)
Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

"Becoming" in Christ requires something from us, but it also gives something to us. Life is not only about what we get, but what we give as well. It can be easy to focus on the happenings or events we've experienced, without thinking as deeply about our response to our life events. 

At times, we can tend to react quickly without pondering the implications of our thoughts, feelings or behaviors. We may even seek good vibes only, never expecting to suffer for our own choices, much less others'. Yet, we quickly find that this simply isn't how life goes. Good and bad happen to everyone. Sometimes we suffer - for what we do and don't do, as well as by others' choices.

In the book of Daniel, is the story of a King Nebuchadnezzar who has a dream and desires its interpretation. He promises death to every magician, sorcerer and wise man who cannot tell him the dream and interpretation. Daniel & his fellow countrymen are listed in that select group to interpret the dream or be executed. They did not know if God would answer them, but they did know that He could answer according to His great mercy. 

The spokesman, Daniel, requests time (a wise choice) to honor the king's request. Praying and receiving the answers from God, he produced life for himself and his countrymen. And in that life-giving moment, he was promoted. 

We could say the cost of becoming in Daniel's situation was faith, trust and prayer. 

• Faith that God had the answers. 

• Trust that God would answer. 

• Prayer to request that God would move in the situation. 

As with Daniel and his friends, God is the victor of our faith bringing us to the promised position in His Word. He brings us victory. What does God call victory? In their situation: life instead of death, both physically and spiritually.

"Becoming" requires us to face the potential of losing it all. It is during these times when all is on the line, like with Daniel, that God proves what we need Him to be, when we need Him to be it. 

Fortunately for believers, death and condemnation lose! Through God’s wisdom, Daniel and his friends avoided death in this instance which is proof that preserving their physical life was victory.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego went from being exiles to governor and administrators of the province of Babylon. They did not plan their journey. They simply lived their life with a trust in God. God ordered their steps and used their circumstances to shape them as people and to shape their lives.

In these scriptures, we see that trusting God meant their life. Daniel learned he had to count the cost when choosing to obey God. He:

• Dared to be different 

• Stood out for his faith

• Believed in who he was

• Believed that he was called by God

• Believed that the enemies of his God had to bow

 Reflection Questions

1. What situations have you been in or are currently in that require you to put it all on the line?

2. Do you believe that God can and is willing to give you victory?

3. In what areas of your life do you need to "become" more trusting?  Into what area(s) may you need to invite God? 

4. Is God speaking to you about relinquishing your plans and trusting Him to shape you and your life?