Daniel 2:14  When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. (NLT)

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My bride and I enjoyed a scrumptious dinner last night. The atmosphere was just right. Our booth was secluded and quiet enough to hear and be heard. The food was over-the-top good. We like that restaurant and enjoy going there several times a year, most often on special occasions.

Another couple came in and began pushing buttons, so to speak, to get a prime table and maybe a little prime rib. He and the woman with him, some years younger than he, had been in the pool until they decided they were hungry. Then they showered and readied themselves for an unplanned dinner at the place that almost always requires a reservation.

The man pushed his way in, pushed the server for immediate service, and continued pushing for a table every time someone on staff walked near. He told his story with a confidently loud voice to an acquaintance who was there celebrating his birthday with his family. A quick hello turned into a strong explanation of his day and a powerful declaration of his intentions.

He was still sitting there with his silent companion when we left. 

Some people think the way to get what you want is to bend another person’s will to your own. They prefer power over persuasion. They want what they want when they want it, no matter the rules, the pleasantries, or those in line before them. 

Some bullies never grow up. As Peter Pan’s young daughter said to Captain Hook in the movie Hook, “You need a mother very badly!”

Reading Daniel 2, we learn a positive alternative to bullying your way through life. Verse 14 says, “Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.” Wisdom and discretion honor God and bless others. Before this, Daniel, his friends, and all the other royal advisors were doomed to death. After this, nobody died. 

Daniel enlisted his friends as prayer partners with a focused request. We see this in verse 18:

He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.

God knows everyone’s secrets. Daniel and his friends asked God to reveal the secret that would serve the king and save many lives. Verse 19 tells us what happened next.

That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.

God said, “Yes” to their prayer. Before Daniel alerted the Chief Head Chopper, he paused to pray with praise and thanksgiving. We see this in verses 20-23. This prayer ends with these words, “You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.”

Daniel asked God. The king demanded his staff. Asking and demanding are different paths. The first honors God and serves others. The second dishonors everyone and wounds everyone it touches. 

Skip down to verse 30 as Daniel begins telling both the dream and its interpretation, the very thing all the other royal staff members said was impossible (verses 10 and 11). What is impossible for humans is not impossible for God. All things are possible with him. 

The king made this episode all about him. The royal advisors made it all about them. Daniel and his friends made it all about God. This is a good starting point for how to live a well-ordered life. 

Nebuchadnezzar was a God-made man. His wealth and power were God’s gifts (verse 37). The issue was not his greatness, but his stewardship of those gifts. Daniel and his friends managed their God-given abilities honorably. God answered their prayer requests and blessed everyone they related to in the king’s service. 

The king promoted Daniel “and gave him many valuable gifts,” (verse 48). He was “made ruler of the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over” all the wise men. What did Daniel do first in his new role and responsibilities? Verse 49 says, 

At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.

No man or woman succeeds in life without friends. Daniel shared God’s blessings and the king’s favor. He lived an Abrahamic life. He understood that, like Abraham, he was blessed to be a blessing. Blessings shared are multiplied. Blessings hoarded are wasted.

I wonder if Daniel ever wanted to dine at his favorite restaurant on short notice. If he did, I’m pretty sure he called to see if he could reserve a spot for him and his guests. 

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I will live and lead with gentleness and kindness, wisdom and discretion. 

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Our Father, make me more like Daniel. Empower me to live and lead with wisdom and discretion. Make me ever more gentle and kind. Empower me to steward well all you place in my hands. Remind me to turn to you first when something I don’t have is necessary to honor you and serve others. Amen.