I have written previously about Joseph, Moses, Gideon, and others who best illustrate the biblical connection between God’s presence and human work that I call Immanuel labor. However, I have never discussed Daniel.
He and I have something in common. Like me, this man of faith served in a critical position on the staff of a senior government official. Let me use an excerpt from my book and add to it a little bit. Although Daniel’s impact was significantly greater than mine, his understanding of the times in which he lived, his dedication to focusing on keeping his relationship with his God a priority in his life, his courage in the face of opposition, and his willingness to be used by God should inspire us.
Let me share a few observations about Daniel, tell a story of another, modern man of faith whom I met, look at how God’s presence makes a difference where I work, then see how that all might apply to your life.
The Old Testament Story
John Beckett in Mastering Monday shows this biblical pattern of God’s presence and work in the life of Daniel. Daniel was handpicked to be trained to serve the King of Babylon (Dan. 1:4-5), but he remained true to his values. We read in Daniel 1:8, “[He] resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.” As a result, “God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel” (Dan. 1:9).
Daniel had three friends who later faced the fiery furnace (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). To them, “God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning” (Dan. 1:17). Daniel also had the ability to interpret dreams, which he attributed to God in prayer and in public (Dan. 2:23, 28). Beckett mentions God’s presence in the lion’s den with Daniel, who said, “My God sent his angel” (Dan. 6:22). Beckett reminds us, “Even there, God was with him.” (Emphasis mine.)
Beckett continues in his book, “I love the evidence of God’s initiative in Daniel’s life, indicated by the powerful verbs in the Scriptures cited above. God ‘caused.’ God ‘gave.’ God ‘sent.’ God was clearly active with him providing and showing favor.” God’s presence empowered Daniel to influence people in high positions at his workplace.
The Theology of Work Project Bible Commentary adds to our understanding of God’s presence in Daniel’s life while he was faithfully doing the work that God called him to do. The commentators remind us that Daniel “did his work on a daily basis in dependence on God. Daniel prayed three times a day (Dan. 6:10). He acknowledged God in every tough issue he faced.”
A Newer Story
This OT story reminds me of another man of God who lives in our time who also worked for the government. He was able to make a big difference in the high places where he served because of his Christian faith.
At the 2016 Faith@Work Summit, I met the Honorable Edmund C. Moy. He was appointed to serve as a special assistant to the president at the White House from 2001 to 2006 and was the director of the U.S. Mint from 2006 to 2011. Like Daniel, Edmund understood that he was divinely placed in government positions to serve God’s purposes as his representative. Like Daniel, he also depended on the presence of God to get him through many tough times in our nation’s capital.
(Click here to watch a YouTube video of his inspiring message entitled, “On Faith, Work, and Public Service.”)
My Story
How does understanding these concepts affect us at work? For me, when I choose to focus on the fact that God is present with me at work, it changes the way I perform my job, which enables me to fulfill his purposes. Let me provide some examples.
As I head from the parking lot to my building, I ask God to lead me and give me wisdom. I pray audibly when I am alone in my office. I shoot up a silent prayer in a meeting when my temper starts to rise. I confess my sins when I see them. I remind myself of a Bible verse when I need his truth to set me free. I take time to praise him when he enables me to accomplish a challenging task. There always seems to be plenty of opportunities throughout the day to connect with God.
Your Story
I don’t know if you can relate to Daniel or not. Maybe you don’t work in government, but you work for a company whose current values run counter to biblical ones, and you don’t know how much longer you can put up with it. I ask you to give this matter to God in prayer and trust him to get you through it.
The Theology of Work Bible Commentary has some thoughts for those who are wondering how to apply these biblical truths for themselves. The author offers these encouraging words: “Sometimes we don’t engage with God in our work because we believe that our work doesn’t seem important to God. But each decision is important to our God, and every worker needs to know this. The question that the theology of Daniel presents the worker is, ‘Whose kingdom are you building?’”
They continue with this challenge: “Christian workers must labor well in the present, knowing that the significance of our labor both resides in and transcends the here and now.”
Let me reiterate what I’ve known for a long time. The purpose of biblical narrative is not to merely hold up a handful of extraordinary men and women as an example for us to follow. Rather, it is to show how God relates to those people who fully trust in him. If God caused Daniel’s employers to notice him, gave Daniel special talents, and was present with Daniel when he had absolutely no hope of survival, then perhaps God will act in similar way with us when we trust in him as well.
Editor’s note: This article was republished from the author’s blog with permission.
