Our nation is less friendly
to true Christianity with each passing year. Our culture is defined by
Self, sensuality, and materialism. God, though sometimes given a polite nod, is
dismissed from education, public policy, and social debate. We are not
officially an atheistic society, but in terms of how we live our everyday lives,
it is clear that a personal God, as taught in the Holy Scripture, is no longer
foremost in our minds.
Some Christians are angry.
Others are fearful. A few are ready to take to the streets or retreat to a
ranch in Idaho. Daniel’s story points in a different direction.
When he was taken to become a servant in the pagan palace, a real effort was
made to change him – a new name, a new diet, new literature, stories, and gods;
as well as a new language! Yet, this godly man represented the Lord in
Babylon, a city who very name symbolized rebellion against God. He did so
without anger, without threatening or complaining. He was a ‘saint in
Babylon!’ For 70 years, under four different regimes, his integrity,
excellence in character, wisdom, and godliness was unmistakably having an
effect on the powerful people of that society.
How did he do it?
He believed that the Lord
was here, near, and directing both his life and history! When he was
carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon while still a teenage boy, he did not see
himself as a victim. He trusted that God was working out His plans. In
the opening lines of his book, he says, "The Lord gave him (the king of
Babylon) victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of
the sacred objects from the Temple of God." (Daniel 1:2, NLT)
He remained committed to
the Lord, without compromise. "Daniel resolved not to defile
himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for
permission not to defile himself this way." (Daniel 1:8, NIV) He
was principled, not willing to excuse himself from the difficulties created by
his faith in God.
He understood the wisdom
of dialogue. Daniel did not rail on the king, hurl threats that
created animosity, or stir up rebellion. He asked for a test! He put his faith
on the line in a defensible way. “Test me,” he said with holy boldness!
He knew that it was God in
him that was his real source of strength. "God gave these
four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel
was gifted in understanding all sorts of visions and dreams." (Daniel
1:17, The Message)
God needs ‘saints in Babylon’
in 21st century America! Let’s commit ourselves to living like
Daniel. Instead of big mouths, let’s be known for having big hearts.
Instead of being seen as angry people whose way of life is threatened, let’s be
known for the love of Christ that keeps us secure when all the world is going
to Hell around us. Instead of condemning the sins of the world from some
imagined perch of superiority, let’s be the hands of Jesus that are extended to
the broken, the lost, the hopeless.
Jesus did not call us into
His Body so that we could live fat and happy lives in a perfect world. He
called us to His Kingdom and commissions us to go and tell, to make disciples,
to extend His grace and love to many – even at the cost of rejection,
hostility, and a lion’s den, if necessary! Here’s the word from the
Word. Remind yourself that you’re a saint in Babylon and that this is the
Lord’s desire.
“Let me tell you why you
are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of
this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve
lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
“Here’s another way to put
it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is
not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a
hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under
a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there
on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be
generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open
up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16, The Message)
__________
Shine Jesus Shine
Shine, Jesus, shine;
Fill this land
With the Father's glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze;
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow;
Flood the nations
With grace and mercy.
Send forth Your word,
Lord,
And let there be light!
Lord the light of Your
love is shining,
In the midst of the
darkness shining.
Jesus, Light of the world,
shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth
You now bring us,
Shine on me, shine on me!
Lord, I come to Your
awesome presence,
From the shadows into Your
radiance,
By the blood I may enter
Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume
all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Verse 3
As we gaze on Your kingly
brightness
So our faces display Your
likeness
Ever changing from glory to
glory
Mirrored here may our lives
tell Your story
Shine on me shine on me
Graham Kendrick
© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin.
by Music Services, Inc.)
CCLI License # 810055
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