I imagine it’s the job of a lifetime. The newly elected U.S. President appoints you to serve on the white house staff, or better yet, you are chosen as one of his senior advisers. God’s favor feels tangible. You prepared for this your whole life.
Then four years later the president is voted out of office. The morning after the election you wake up shocked and unemployed. Everyone was sure the incumbent would serve a second term. You didn’t prepare for this loss, and you wonder, what future job could ever compare to this one?
A True Story
Have you recently lost your dream job, retired, or left a ministry you love? Do you feel like your best and favorite days are behind you?
Similarly, the prophet Daniel’s exciting political career reaches the halfway point, then fades to black.
Daniel has a good run in politics between chapters 1-4. Even in a hostile political climate, his tenure boasts great successes. Daniel hurls his trust on to God, and God hurls him into leadership positions.
In ancient Babylon, each king appointed fortune tellers, dreamers and spiritualists to serve on his department of magic. The prophet Daniel’s character, his genius, and his gift for interpreting dreams, pave the way for him to serve as Chief Magician during King Nebuchadnezzar’s administration. (Daniel 4:9)
But between the last verse of Chapter 4 and the first verse of Chapter 5, twenty-three years pass, and at least two more kings sit on the throne. Although Daniel remains loyal to the kingdom after Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, his talents aren’t chosen to serve in the same capacity with future administrations. And the newest king has never heard of Daniel.
But God has not forgotten him. And neither have some of the other Babylonians.
Who Would Have Thought?
In Chapter 5 the newest king prepares a feast. During the party a mysterious hand appears and scribbles an incriminating message on the wall. The king’s strength drains from him in an instant; his limbs are gripped by fear and refuse to move at his command. He begs his magicians to interpret the handwriting. But no one is able. God renders all the magicians useless.
Then an older woman, hearing all the commotion, rushes into the king’s court. Breathless, she blurts out details about a wise man who used to interpret dreams for a previous king.
Daniel is summoned, and he interprets the writing accurately. Its as if no time passed at all. In fact, his gift and trust in God are sharper than ever. In the past Daniel was scared. He hesitated to share dream interpretations with King Nebbuchadnezzar, but this time he boldly shares the word of the Lord.
But God Isn’t Done, Yet
After his twenty three year period of obscurity, God upgrades Daniel’s authority and gifting. He’s catapulted into the highest seats in government under the king. By the end of the book, Daniel is not only interpreting dreams, but he’s dreaming them too. His prophetic dreams endure for centuries. Only God can take one man’s gift and make it relevant for thousands of years.
The beginning of Daniel’s ministry was preparation. A practice session for the grand finale of his life. The greatest revelations and responsibility came to Daniel at the end.
Are you currently living in your 23 years of silence?
This isn’t the end. You are only lingering between 2 verses. Enjoy the rest period because God’s greatest plans and revelations lay ahead.
Thriving in the Gap
So how do we endure these periods of obscurity? The key to Daniel’s success wasn’t his talent and giftings. It was his humility before God.
Everyday, several times a day, he sought and thanked God. His time in the presence of God shaped his character and God shaped his career.
If we want to make a difference in this world, it’s not our hunger for making a difference that counts. It’s our hunger for the Destiny Shaper, Who aligns our lives with His plans, bringing attention to our giftings at the time He sees fit.
Today let’s refocus our attention on our intimate relationship with the Destiny Shaper. Close your eyes and feel His breath in the air all around you. Inhale a deep breath of His Spirit and pray with me.
Lord, life isn’t turning out as I planned. I feel like I’ve gone as far as my giftings will take me, and my best and favorite days are behind me. Today, I turn my eyes back to You, the Destiny Shaper, and let Your plans surprise me as I set my love on You. Even if twenty-three years pass in between opportunities, I will trust in You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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