The other day God spoke to us through the life of Daniel. There are different prophets in the OT that have different functions. For example, Elijah functioned as a voice or a herald, who opposed wickedness and wicked leaders. Moses and David functioned as governmental prophets who led a nation into the kingdom of God. Jonah was a prophet to unbelievers, and his ministry resulted in many being saved. God uses different people that have been designed differently for His purposes.
God’s purpose is and always will be the same, establishing His kingdom. In different seasons, however, it takes a different type of prophet. In different areas of the world, in different contexts, His people have functioned in different ways. Each prophets acted in a way that reflected a different facet of the Father. Sometimes God destroys things (Jeremiah). Sometimes He restores things (Nehemiah). Sometimes He is downright flashy (Moses). Other times He is like a crockpot and slowly but surely prepares things (Abraham), then there are times where we eat and enjoy the fruit of years past (Joshua/Solomon).
For us, God has given us a mantel similar to Daniel (Joseph also functioned in similar ways). Daniel governed in some ways, and he spoke convicting words in due season, but his main function was to be one who loves in faithfulness and excellency in many areas. Through Daniel’s life he loved Nebuchadnezzar even though he took captive Daniel’s people with cruelty. While king Darius threw him in the lion’s den Daniel loved him saying “Oh king live forever!” Daniel excelled in wisdom, even in the least areas Daniel was distinguished beyond those around him. His reputation was carried on even when new governments took over. Even when he was in his old age, it was known that Daniel prayed three times a day. They even knew what time they could “catch him in the act.” Much different than the prophet Elijah, Daniel was liked by many. He blessed whoever he came in contact with. Elijah did what was needed for his time, so did Moses, and David, but they all looked different.
What is really fascinating is that in Daniel 1 it is written that Daniel stayed in exile until the first year of the reign of Cyrus. In the book of Ezra, we read that in the first year of king Cyrus, a decree went forth to free all the Jewish exiles to go and rebuild the temple of their God. When Cyrus realized that the Jewish people needed their temple and city rebuilt, there is no doubt in my mind that Cyrus considered the life of Daniel. Before Daniel, Israel was a mess. Babylon looked down on them with no pity and took them captive. But 70 years later what do the kings of the day know of those who worship Yahweh? Well, there is a guy named Daniel who has held numerous governmental positions, who has proved the God of the Jews to be faithful. Daniel defined what the kingdom of God looked like, so much so that during Daniel’s last year on this earth, King Cyrus saw fit to fund the entire restoration of the Jewish state. Scholar’s believe Cyrus did not even worship the God of the Jews, but apparently some thing convinced him that it was worth it fund this project. Out of his very own pocket, the money of the taxpayers of Persia, came the means of which Israel, the kingdom of God was restored, all because of the life of one man named Daniel.
Daniel was the leaven in the bread. We caused everything around him to rise. His anointing was to define the kingdom of YHWH with all that he did. His life held a reputation that made God famous. We sense God leading us to live in the same manner.
He didn’t function as a Moses, or an Elijah or as a Jonah, but he functioned perfectly how God had anointed him. He was a seed that was faithful. Even though others walked in the fruit of that season (such as Nehemiah and Ezra) it was the faithfulness of the life and love of Daniel that paved the way for the kingdom to be restored in Israel. Daniel was the perfect seed in the perfect soil. Only the design of God could have worked out so perfectly.
For us, we might not be Elijahs calling down fire from heaven. We aren’t Solomons either. We are perfectly designed for the season and environment God has us in. We sense that the nature of our work here will be in the same vein Daniel walked in. God is cool, and we are excited to see what He wants to do here in Cambodia through us walking as He created us. Thank you for praying for us. Everyday He is working and leading us perfectly. There are some things we see on the horizon, and we are excited for this journey God has us on.
God bless you!
