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Politics As Usual
OK, you read the key verses. Having just come out of the climax of the most noteworthy political seasons in the history of these United States, it is obvious that peoples’ motives and strategies just haven’t changed in nearly three millennia. We could go all the way back to The Garden, but for the purposes of this passage we will stick to the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Anytime someone else rises to a position of power or influence, it is the responsibility of those not chosen to “vet” that person…or so it would seem.
Barack who? Wait a minute! This guy was friends with a terrorist…he has a funny name…I have a picture of him with… He wasn’t born here! Was he? What in the world is a community organizer? Empty suit!
Sarah who? Governor of where? Alaska? Really? Alaska!? We have to find something on her! Oh, here is a picture of her in college….if you want to call North Idaho a college? She killed a moose! And a wolf! From a helicopter! Her daughter is pregnant! She should be home with that special baby! Bad mommy!
Now we know why “good people” don’t run for office. No one could stand up to the scrutiny. Even if you were “better than most”, who would want to put their family through the media circus? The fact for me is that they probably wouldn’t have to dig that deep to find something to disqualify me. So don’t look for me to be running for office in the near future.
Daniel on the other hand didn’t seem to be concerned about laws and rules set forth by man. Daniel communed with God. At least three times a day, but I imagine it was really more a constant communion. He lived his life to please his God. In doing so, he broke no laws. Everybody liked him. He was a model servant to King Darius. He was such a good servant that he found favor above all his peers with King Darius.
Enter the political peers, soon to be subordinates. Even they recognized that there was nothing in this man’s character with which they could find fault. Believe me, they tried. I am sure that they dispatched 70+ attorneys and every international news network to the land of Daniel’s ancestors to try and dig up any dirt they could. Failed! Nothing! Nada! Zilch!
“OK. So what is the secret to Daniel’s character?”
“He prays to his God?”
“Three times a day?!”
“That’s it!”
“We’ve got him now!”
Thanks Jay for the thoughts. Maybe because I have never had political aspirations I am clean as a whistle. I do pay my taxes (or I should say John does) I never smoked, or ran around protesting the war or most of the other things we pick on our politians about. They wouldn’t find much in my past but I am not a threat to their power so they won’t look. They picked on Daniel because he had something they didn’t have faith. Because of his relationship with God he was given power and responiblity. I do want my life to be a communion with God like Daniel. I want to pray and see lions mouths shut. I hope you all have a good day. Pray
First of all breathe.
OK, how far would someone have to dig, not far. I have skeletons in my closet. I am not ashamed of the mistakes that I have made because I have learned from them. Thankfully, the past mistakes dont’ disqualify me for a relationship with God.
I have to tell the truth here. I have been struggling for a couple weeks (ok, years) with this one. I pray. I find that sometimes I am doing my checklists of wants and needs. I try to remember all the people in my life that need prayer and I hope that helps. I “pray” in the car, “Thanks for letting the light stay green”. I “pray” at work, “I hope that we all get what we deserve” (Normally after someone has done something wrong in my opinion. There are those times though when it is quiet, when I am alone, and I pray. I think I do better in those times. I am not sure though.
Here is my struggle, I don’t “hear” God. I want answers. I have questions. I want a Revelation. I think that I deserve one. I know that it is my human heart that wants black and white answers but that it my struggle.
That is why it is difficult to be in constant contact with God through prayer for me. I find that it is a one way conversation. I keep trying. I know that I am the one that is in the way but I am trying.
Candy -
Prayer is hard, and you’ve identified the hardest part — listening.
I have to get quiet to hear. It’s rare that I allow myself to be still… and listen. God most often whispers. I too like the yelling of a burning bush revelation… but those are so rare. Why does God so often whisper? But isn’t whispering the language of an intimate relationship?
Take a look at I Kings 19:11-13. Notice when and how God spoke to Elijah.
I love when my wife whispers something in my ear. I always hear. Now THAT’S communication! Sherry is not a screamer, but I’m told that when a spouse yells all the time, usually the other spouse ceases to listen. Hmmmm….
Turn the TV off tonight. Don’t expect God to yell or even give you a burning bush. See if you can catch the awesome blessing of a heavenly whisper.
Lord, do things we’re not used to.
Hi Cuz…. I too have had the Treadwell appleation… for 81 years now… and wear it proudly even though I know that we as a clan have not been squeaky clean. I offer the tale of Cato Treadwell, who was enslaved to a CT Treadwell. And if that doesn’t raise your interests consider the Treadwell that was a pirate. I suggest that you stay clear of politics… there are enough crooks handling that job.
Have a good one….
This one was a tough one for me. I have visited it twice and still battling with ‘if I was in Daniels position would they have seen God in me or just me?’
I pray that people can see more of God in/through me.
Peter,
I wish I had more time for this. Bottomline is that Daniel was treated in a similar manner as was Christ. He was persecuted for being like Christ albeit was prior to Christ walking the earth.
This is just another question or 2 or 3 to chew on.
If people see Christ in us, do we expect them to worship us or persecute us?
What does it look like when people see Christ in us?
What does it look like when people “see God”?