Ever blow it? You know, not just make a really bad decision, but not be able to reverse it?
In the last few reflections I have been encouraging you (and chiding me) to live with an eternal perspective. Sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I blow it.
If you have ever blown it, then you know King Darius’ dilemma. He has blown it.
There is some treachery afoot in his kingdom. Jealousy abounds and people are plotting to take out Daniel. (Now to be clear, I don’t think the geniuses who have masterminded the plan have thought it through. Consider, even if Daniel is eaten by the lions, I would expect the king to deal with them in a less than favorable manner.)
The king realizes the consequences of his decision. He has “blown it”, Let’s read again some of the king’s responses.
In verse 14 when he realizes what signing the law has done to Daniel, we read:
“Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.”
The King obviously wanted to reverse course but could not.
In verse 16, as he delivers Daniel to the lion’s den,
“The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.”
In verse 18 the king spent his night fasting, and then at the break of day, in verse 20 we read,
“…he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”
The king’s responses are somewhat remarkable, and somewhat predictable.
It is remarkable that the king, after he realizes that he has forbidden anyone, to pray to any god other than him, puts such confidence in Daniel’s Living God. The king even cries out to Yahweh. (Did he just violate the edict?)
Yet it also somewhat predictable. The old adage, “There are no atheists in foxholes” seems to apply.
Regardless of a person’s sophisticated philosophical position during cocktail hour, their pragmatic need in time of crisis reveals their deepest hope—that being the existence of a God who actually cares about them.
But how about, one other dimension to the king’s behavior, how about his willingness to sign such a decree.
Compared to Nebuchadnezzar, and even Belshazzar, consider what Darius did. He forbade anyone to pray to any other god then him! He alone assumed singular rule over all!!
I find that when I get consumed with myself, my own importance—when it becomes all about me—I am prone to blow it. Truly.
You might say, “When I lose my eternal perspective, when it becomes all about now, it then becomes all about me!”
Finally, God does deliver Daniel. But here I suggest we be careful. Perhaps God actually responded to Darius so Darius would believe. Perhaps God responded to Daniel—if He did, it was God’s grace, and not Daniel’s good works. Don’t make the mistake that Daniel earned God’s favor. Finally, God’s response certainly declares to the world, that He alone is Almighty God.
Yes, sometimes when we blow it, God does deliver us. However, be careful not to “hard wire” God’s actions with yours.
Think of a time when you’ve blown it. Now consider three questions:
1. When you’ve blown it, had you lost your eternal perspective and placed yourself at the center of the situation?
2. When you’ve blown it, did you repent and what has been your prayer to God like?
3. When you’ve blown it, how did God respond?