By Shephard Victor
The three distinct episodes in Daniel chapters 4, 5, and 6 present a compelling narrative, a tale of two cities. Daniel lived in Babylon, faithfully serving its rulers, yet his heart belonged elsewhere. He did not live for Babylon; he lived for another city, Jerusalem, and all that it represented: covenant, holiness, and the presence of God.
We must ask ourselves: What city do we live for, Babylon or Jerusalem? What is the quality of our lives like? Are we shining like stars, bearing the treasure of the gospel in these fragile ‘jars of clay’ (2 Corinthians 4:7)? If we desire to shine in our generation as Daniel did in his, we must pay close attention to three things: humility, obedience, and God’s empowerment.
Is God being glorified in your life and career? Have you surrendered every part of your life your gifts, your ambitions, your influence, for His royal use? Pride and self-reliance have no place in the life God can truly use. Like King Nebuchadnezzar, we too may need humbling if we fail to recognize the Source of all we have.
Perhaps, in truth, we resemble the leaders of Babylon more than we’d like to admit, craving recognition, clinging to power, blind to what truly matters. Have we put ourselves in God’s place? Are we more like Belshazzar than Daniel? Would it be enough for us to be quietly forgotten, marginalized, overlooked, even ignored, yet fully alive in Christ? Would we be content to serve faithfully from the sidelines, rather than chase celebrity status at center stage?
We need God to transform our Belshazzar hearts hardened, self-important, and disconnected, into Daniel hearts: humble, courageous, and devoted. Let us remember: the God before whom we will one day stand in judgment is the same One who is, even now, reshaping us sometimes through dramatic means, like a hand writing on a palace wall… or a whiteboard in a boardroom.
Finally, we must ask: Where does our strength and motivation come from? Are we driven by fear, afraid to stand out, afraid to offend, content to remain hidden? Do we make excuses when we should be praying? When God calls, do we shrink back, or do we step forward?
We can live bold lives for the gospel not because we are fearless, but because our God is greater. He is able to protect His own, and He delights to reveal His glory through us, even in the workplace.
In times of pressure, testing, and trial, may we shine brightly for the glory of God. May we live in this present city with all the humility, obedience, and power that comes from knowing and longing for our true home the City of God.