2023_10_13 Insight Post- Mario Colorado
This week’s reading- Daniel 1-2, Daniel 9
The Bible verses for this week’s insight post are providential and hopeful. It is timely with current events and coincides with our churchwide study, “Created to Dream.” Keep in mind that these verses were selected weeks ago!
In Daniel 1, we learn that he and his friends have been captured by King Nebuchadnezzar and taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. While living in captivity in Babylon, Daniel is faced with tough choices about how to live his life. He and his friends are given new names and the opportunity to change their identity and lifestyle. They were offered to eat the king’s food. Daniel resolves not to defile himself by consuming the king’s food or drinking his wine. In doing so, Daniel maintains his identity as a servant of God. Because he chooses God, he can successfully navigate his way through the pressures of his new environment. Daniel provides us with a classic example of what Paul instructs in his address to the Romans, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2. As followers of Jesus, we also face the pressures and stresses of a culture that actively seeks to turn us away from God. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with information that distracts us from being a new creation in Christ. But just as Daniel was rewarded for his faithfulness, so will our efforts to show the world that we are members of the body of Christ. However, our prize will come when we can one day live in eternal communion with our loving Creator.
In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream. Under penalty of death, he demands that his sorcerers and magicians not only interpret but reveal the dream without any information or details about its nature. It is an impossible task to be sure, but not for God, as He reveals the dream to Daniel, who later interprets it successfully for Nebuchadnezzar. The symbolism should not be lost here. Only Daniel, a servant of the one true God, could reveal and interpret the dream. The magicians and sorcerers who worshiped fake gods could not. Daniel not only saves his own life but their lives too. Nebuchadnezzar is left paying homage to Daniel and declares, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Dan. 2:47. We don’t know why Nebuchadnezzar first made such an impossible standard for his magician to reveal the dream. I get the sense that perhaps he was tired of hearing nonsense from all the fake magicians, sorcerers, and charlatans.
The book of Daniel is eschatological (fancy word for end times) in nature. It provides prophetic information about God’s plan for humanity. I have had numerous conversations with people close to me about the timing and significance of the evil perpetrated against the state of Israel this past week. By the nature of my profession, I have also fielded questions about how to prepare for the worst. A lot of these questions are driven by fear. As followers of Jesus, we must take heart because He has overcome the world. We should not be driven by fear. Instead, I suggest we remain vigilant, just as the wise five virgins in The Parable of the Ten Virgins. What does that look like? For one, we should pray for spiritual strength and those suffering. Second, we should prepare for battle as Paul instructed the Ephesians. That means putting on the whole armor of God to withstand the spiritual forces of evil. Fastening the belt of truth, which is Jesus. Taking up the shield of faith and putting on the helmet of salvation. And finally, taking up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Spiritual preparation is our first line of defense for an enduring and eternal relationship with our Creator.
Mario Colorado
New Hope Intern