Reading for Today: Daniel 2
Big Takeaway: We can agreeably disagree.
Have you been on social media lately?
If you have, you’ve probably seen a post by someone sharing a strong opinion. If we're being really honest, seeing these posts can trigger a response that doesn't honor God, right?
It does for me!
I’ve read social media posts over the past year and longed to go into thumb-troll mode, writing everything I think out of feisty emotion instead of Christlike wisdom.
My flesh fights to overtake my faith.
Have you been here too?
Although social media didn’t exist when Daniel walked the earth, we can learn a valuable lesson about how to respond when our faith is triggered and tested.
In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar (or King Neb as I like to call him) had such a disturbing dream one night that he couldn’t sleep. He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and demanded that they tell him what the dream meant. (Daniel 2:1-3).
Funny enough, none of them could tell him the dream’s meaning.
The king was so furious that he ordered that all the wise men in Babylon be executed. This included Daniel.
In verse 14 we read, “When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.”
Wisdom and discretion. Not emotion, haste, or fear.
Here’s what I want us to focus on: Daniel’s life was on the line. He did nothing wrong. If anyone could have had an emotional, unfaithful response to the commander, it was Daniel, right?
But Daniel remained faithful to God.
He asked questions (Daniel 2:15-16) and
asked his friends for prayer (Daniel 2:18). Daniel was careful to honor God with his reactions and responses even when it was wildly clear he was not in the wrong.
The next time you and I are tempted to quickly respond to someone who frustrates us or posts something to offend us, remember: wisdom and discretion.
Wait to respond. Ask God for wisdom. Then, discern and respond to people how God wants you to respond.
We don’t have to remain silent, but how we react to people matters to God!
Reflect: Have you been in a situation where you’ve wanted to quickly respond to someone? How do you think your faith can grow if you use wisdom and discretion in your reactions?
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