I have emerged from a period of darkness, where leaders abused their power, oppressed the innocent, embraced falsehoods, and reveled in their failures and flaws. Love was met with betrayal, while rejection and manipulation overshadowed truth and humility.
Recently, the book of Daniel has been a focal point for me, sparking a revelation. What do you do when you realize you've been living in Babylon?
Centuries after the Israelites were rescued from Egyptian slavery, young Hebrew royals (like Daniel) found themselves uprooted from their homes and serving a dark, power-hungry nation steeped in idolatry, violence, and injustice. Daniel and his companions grappled with the question: "Can God truly be present in such dark and wicked places?"
During my chapters of suffering, I constantly pondered this question. Surely, this couldn't be what following the Lord into ministry should entail. I wondered if I had ventured to a place where God would not follow me.
Likewise, I imagine Daniel and his friends wrestled with similar doubts. The Israelites believed God's presence resided solely in the temple in Jerusalem, so they likely doubted His presence in a land teeming with evil, pride, and injustice.
The trials of Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and Daniel began long before they faced the fiery furnace or the lion's den. Their faith was tested relentlessly in a land where even when God chose to reveal Himself, men still refused to submit or acknowledge His power.
Yet, their faith isn't lauded because of their own strength or miracles but rather for their unwavering devotion to the Lord. As I emerge from a season of overwhelming oppression and darkness, I do so with humility and gratitude, recognizing that the Lord was present amidst the lies, betrayal, harassment, abuse, and rejection. Despite the forces seeking to crush me, He remained faithful, and my heart never ceased yearning for His presence.
This is the hope that stems from a relationship with Christ. Walking through that season wasn't easy; I often found myself on my knees pleading for God's rescue, yearning for a tangible sign of His presence. I questioned whether He truly saw me amidst the powers seeking to strip away my hope and truth. I desired a moment akin to the fiery furnace, where God's presence would unmistakably shine forth and vindicate my struggles. Yet, as with King Nebuchadnezzar, even witnessing God's ultimate power won’t always suffice for those entrenched in evil.
What sustained me, what enabled me to trust God and maintain faith within the dark and evil confines of Babylon, was recalling where God's rescue began. He rescued the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, guided them through the desert, and led them to the promised land, albeit not in the manner they anticipated. Meanwhile, I chose to remember that the Lord saved me spiritually when I accepted Christ or how he saved me physically when I survived a potentially life-altering horse riding accident at 21 years old.
When you find yourself in a literal or metaphorical Babylon season, cling to these truths. God's presence is with you; He desires your prayers and closeness. Speak, cry out, and hold onto hope, even when it seems distant. There's a season for being in Babylon, but the promise remains that God won't waste any trial. He will reveal His glory and utilize your experiences for His purpose.
To conclude, allow the remembrance of God's past faithfulness to be your anchor in the shadowy dens of darkness. Trust that as He has rescued you before, He will do so again, guiding you through the trials of Babylon and ultimately revealing His glory in your life.
Daniel 3:17-18 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." |
DANIEL | LIVE ON STAGE MARCH 14 - DECEMBER 31, 2024 Sight & Sound Theatres | Lancaster, PA TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE Taken from his people, Daniel is exiled far from home in the powerful kingdom of Babylon. Now this faithful servant must navigate his new life inside a palace filled with golden statues and shifting empires. As royal pressures mount, Daniel is faced with a dangerous choice. Will his trust in the one true God remain steadfast through every test of faith? From the fiery furnace to the infamous den of lions, DANIEL is a spectacular theatrical experience for the whole family. Witness one of the Bible’s most hope-filled stories as it comes to life in this brand-new original stage production from Sight & Sound Theatres. |