Beginning a study...

Daniel 1

We often ask ourselves the unrelenting question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” And we just as often walk away from the question knowing no more than we did when we asked it. We become perplexed and anxious, even doubting, because surely this is a question that the Lord would want us to have an answer to. Isn’t it?

In the opening words of Daniel Chapter 1 we have a similar and equally perplexing situation unfolding. We know and accept that God has chosen a people for Himself and these people are the Jewish nation or race. At the time of Daniel 1, the Jewish nation was divided into two kingdoms, north and south, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, besieges Jerusalem and God gives His people into the hands of a conquering (enemy) king. That’s right, in verse 2 the Scriptures say that “the Lord delivered [them] into his hand…”

If such a thing occurred today, we would immediately ask whether God does indeed love us at all. After all, if He chose us and made us His own, why would he not defend and protect us from all our enemies? But here, the question does not appear to have been asked and the answer certainly was not given. In fact, the insult went further and apparently with God’s permission. Some of the articles from God’s temple were also allowed to be taken back to Babylon by their king and his men. When he got home with these articles, he immediately put them “in the treasure house of his god.” What an offense to God and His people; and yet, God permitted it without so much as an argument with or from His chosen people.

Having set the tone for this fascinating book, we might expect that the story can’t get any worse. Stick with me because it certainly does at times. And while we are looking for answers to our everyday problems and issues, we may not find that God is ready to reveal them to us. After all, are we better than His chosen people?

Thought: God always does what is best. He does whatever serves his purposes best. He does not ask our permission nor does He need to. He permits us to bring our requests to Him but that is more than we deserve. We certainly have no innate right to expect that he will give us what we ask. It is all about Him, and not about us at all.

Whatever our circumstances may be today, let’s remember to give Him thanks, as He has commanded. Let us not question His authority, His judgment, or His wisdom. Rather, in a humble spirit of thanksgiving, let’s meekly follow Him with a heart full of gratitude for His faithfulness and His gracious gifts of love and mercy to us.

By His grace, there is more to come…