It’s been awhile since I’ve visited this topic in any form. I find myself reading through Daniel in my Daily Office reading and I am preparing a sermon on Daniel 2 now. The thoughts of this topic I began to truly dive into back in 2017-2018 are flooding back in. We’re still in a Babylon of our own making. I think we’re just comfortable with it now.

Yet… I am reminded of all that has gone on in the American Church, and how blind we can still be… and a flood of emotions and thoughts and prayers come over me all over again.

As I am studying Daniel 2 I have found what can anchor me again. It’s the same story… the same commandment… but it’s told so powerfully in Daniel 2.

It doesn’t matter who is in control outwardly. The type of government, the type of economic system, the type of “courts” or lack thereof, none of it matters. This is the witness of Daniel 2. The vision Nebuchadnezzar had, the actions of Daniel, all of it are a powerful demonstration of understanding the temporal kingdoms of this world and how to live in the power of the Kingdom of God.

The only thing that lasts is the Kingdom of God. Period.

And standing at the center is Daniel. Full of wisdom, walking with God, and living out the great commandments for Israel and the Church: Love God. Love people.

When Daniel prayed to receive the dream and the interpretation, he didn’t walk into the king and talk about HIS exploits and let the Babylonian magicians be killed. He didn’t lord the vision over Nebuchadnezzar. He loved his enemies. He demanded the magicians NOT be killed and he spoke truth to Nebuchadnezzar, which is exactly what the king was asking for… and needed.

We walk in too much fear. Too much anger. Too much manipulation.

I could live in Daniel 2 for quite some time and love this story more and more.

I need to not only be named Daniel (which I am, of course), but I need to be this Daniel.