Daniel had a pretty rough start in life. Initially, his lifestyle was comfortable, his parents being of the royal family in Jerusalem. But then came the Babylonian captivity, his castration at age 15, followed by brainwashing school for three years. From the very beginning, Daniel stood firm in his faith, even when it could have cost him his life.

There was a time when the king of Babylon had a dream and couldn’t remember it. No one in government could explain it, so the king was going to have all of them killed. Daniel stepped in, prayed, and revealed the dream, saving everyone’s life, including his own.

Years later, Daniel faced another test. King Nebuchadnezzar had another dream, but he remembered this one. Daniel had to pointedly tell the king that God’s judgment would come upon him if he did not humble himself. Daniel, who had suffered since his captivity, could have kept quiet. But because he was a man of God, he revealed the dream and begged the king to repent; he didn’t. But after seven years of munching clover, the Lord restored his mind and his kingdom, and the king acknowledged the God who ruled over the earth.

Later in his retirement years, another test arose. King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, held a feast toasting all the pagan gods of Babylon. But he crossed a line in the eyes of the one true God when he used golden vessels plundered from the temple in Jerusalem years earlier. The subsequent handwriting on the wall scared the king so badly that he literally messed his pants!

Again, none of the many advisers could interpret the handwriting (some things never change). The queen advised him to call for Daniel, who had a proven track record on dreams and visions. Forget the pictures of “young Daniel” in the lion’s den in the next chapter; he’s about 85 years old. He’s a retired government employee who is living on Social Security. As the kings of Babylon had absolute authority, you would think Daniel would pick his words very carefully lest he anger this tyrant!

Daniel refused the treasures and positions and told the king he would interpret the handwriting on the wall. But first, he reminded the king of his grandfather being humbled years earlier. He reminded him that Nebuchadnezzar, when his kingdom was restored, gave glory and honor to the God who ruled over the heavens. Daniel pointedly rebuked the king, saying, “You knew all of this, yet you never humbled yourself.” Then Daniel told him his kingdom was finished.

That night, the king’s own bodyguards killed him on his throne when the massive armies of the Medes and Persians walked right into the city, unopposed. The threat was right outside the gates, but Belshazzar ignored it, thinking the walls protected him. There are a number of lessons here, but they will need to wait for another time.

I want to talk about Daniel’s courage. Will we ever have men or women in government who have the courage to confront evil, even at the cost of their well-paid positions? With the change in administrations, will there be those who speak out about the internal corruption that could very well have brought down our nation?

Do we have any public officials left who will stand for truth when it may not be popular? Do we have any Daniels or Esthers left in government? Time will tell, but government is not the answer. The responsibility now shifts to the true Church of Jesus Christ to speak up boldly, knowing only the Holy Spirit can change a person’s heart.

As Christians, the ball is in our court to boldly speak the truth in love to those who, like Belshazzar, have been blinded by the god of this world. Staying silent isn’t an option.

Something to pray about!
Semper Fidelis