God Continues in the New Year

In verse two of this chapter we read, “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand.” The king of the promised land was given into the hand of the heathen Nebuchadnezzar. In our text words Daniel is spoken of in a very remarkable way when Israel was under the judging hand of God. Daniel’s cradle had been in the promised land. He was probably born towards the end of the reign of King Josiah, the king who was used by the Lord for the last reformation in Judah. Daniel was born under the judgments. What a thought, my dear reader, to be born under the judgments. How many of our children and grandchildren are not born under the judgments? What must become of them? How must it go? No doubt many are filled with that question at the beginning of a New Year and the times in which we are living. How many parents in Israel also were occupied with such thoughts? Our text, however, reveals that God had a solution. Oh, dear reader, the Lord is the God who may chasten very sore, who will punish the sins of His people but who will always provide for them according to the greatness of His mercy.

Daniel came into Babylon as a captive, and soon the demands of Babylon were upon him and his three friends. You read that Daniel’s purpose of heart was not to defile himself with the king’s meat. That was a choice he made together with his friends. This was an impossibility and also a dishonor to the Babylonians. How many of his peers fell here into the weakness of the flesh, but then you read again key words in distressing times: “Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” Daniel did not know how he would survive this trial either, but God provided something. May I ask a question, dear reader? Under the judgments would God still be able to provide something for you? Or do you have it figured out with maintaining and protecting yourself? The impossi bilities from man’s side are God’s opportunities.

Captive—do you know what that is? First of all, it is being taken against your will. No one goes into captivity voluntarily, but people are taken captive. Daniel did not seek it. God allowed that this captivity came upon Daniel. There he had to experience the power of the enemy. It left him powerless. Read, then, how for those powerless ones God is laboring to give them power and strength. Wonderful ways are provided for captive and powerless people. Many in captivity fell to the power of the enemy, but Daniel and his three friends, by grace, remained standing because of God’s power.

Powerless—what does that mean? It means we do not have any strength. We are confronted with our weakness, a weakness in the mind and our will. With all his skill, wisdom, and knowledge, Daniel could not save himself. Yet it leads to a place—a place of refuge in the midst of all the affairs for which he was responsible. My dear reader, answer honestly between the Lord and your soul; when you experience weakness, where does it bring you? Daniel bowed his knees three times a day. Why? He had no power of himself but was made dependent upon the LORD for strength. Does it lead you to your inner chamber on your knees? That is where it brought Daniel.

What did Daniel experience in his prayer chamber? There he received supplications. What a humbling benefit when those who need the Lord in the midst of their impossibilities receive supplications. Daniel 6 says that he made supplication, but he also received something else: thanksgiving. To have prayers of thanksgiving during trials—is that like the Pharisee, “God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are”? No! This is the prayer of thanksgiving that God continued with Daniel. He did not leave him over to himself. The Lord did not give Daniel over to the power of the idol worship all around him. The Lord was with him. Did he always receive opening in prayer? The Bible does not say that, but three times a day it was the desire of Daniel’s heart to seek God’s countenance, to beg for help and strength, and to thank Him that, by grace, he may be what he is.

Daniel continued. Until when? Until God’s counsel was complete. Church of God, we have entered a New Year, a year of which we know not what it holds. See what is written of Daniel. Nothing of himself, but the Word speaks of the God of Daniel who still prospers the work of His own hand so that for all His blood purchased possessions it may say, continued. What was God’s counsel? “Continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.” Daniel would be used to deliver God’s people. Church of God, you are one year closer to continue to serve Him eternally but then without sin. The might of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach, Belshazzar, and Darius all failed. Their might was conquered, their kingdoms ended, but Daniel continued.

Would that still have value for you and me today? The might and faithfulness of God in the life of Daniel is evident, but how is it now? The Lord Jesus Christ continues; that points to His eternity, His omnipotence, His omnipresence, and His great mercy. He never had a beginning; He always continued. His Church continues because He continues. In the days after Christmas we read in Luke 1:80a, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit.” He continued. He began His earthly ministry, to continue. He suffered and died, to continue. He arose from the dead and is sitting at the right hand of the Father, to continue. He will come again, to continue. Do you see the value? Daniel continued because He who has loved him with an everlasting love continued. My dear reader, the uncertainties are from our side. The hindrances for our peace and freedom will only come from man’s side, but through it all the Lord Jesus Christ continues. What strength! What majesty!

My unconverted reader, you may read this as well. Is there a message for you? Oh, most certainly. Your soul will continue; your soul is eternal. How is it in your life? Have you no thoughts about it? Will it be just a New Year in which you will continue to serve self? How poor your life is! You continue but on your way to eternal condemnation. The Lord Jesus Christ, however, also this year, continues with the casting out of the net. Why? More fish will be led by Him in their impossibilities for whom He will continue to give Himself. Seek Him who says that He will continue so that He may make a beginning in your life.

Weak believer, He continues. Perhaps you say, “I cannot continue; I can only ruin.” God’s Word testifies, and notice how personal it is, “Daniel continued.” May the Holy Spirit work faith in your heart so that, by grace, it may be your name and then “continued.” He continues!

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