Thursday of Week 34 – Dan 6:12-28; Dan 3; Luke 21:20-28
What was it all for, really? First, that ridiculous order from the king — no one could ask anything of any god (not even the true God) or any person, except the king himself, or face death. Then came the cruel and pointless betrayal of Daniel, who faced a death sentence simply because of baseless accusations. And stubbornly sticking to that foolish decree, even when disaster was obvious — did the king’s authority really need to be so rigid that it made him look utterly foolish?
And the harsh punishment didn’t stop there. The very people who falsely accused Daniel were thrown, along with their families, into the lions’ den. Human life was treated as something cheap and expendable, wasted without a second thought. It’s hard to believe that cruelty could be someone’s idea of ‘entertainment’.
Honestly, these kinds of foolish games aren’t confined to ancient stories. We see the same dangerous pride and needless malice today, and human life is still too easily discarded. Using drones to kill enemies? Sure — and if innocent people die, well, it’s war, right? That’s just how life is…
But where is God amid all this? God saves the innocent but doesn’t protect the prideful foolishness of those who choose evil. They had every chance to think, to choose differently — but instead, they chose wickedness.
I pray I never become like that king — so blind in pride and so quick to evil. And may I never be like his servants, causing harm without cause or conscience.
Lord, I’m shaken reading this passage from Daniel today. Foolishness combined with evil is a dangerous force. Holy Spirit, guard my mind and heart so that such thoughts never find a home in me. Help me always to choose wisdom and kindness over pride and cruelty. Amen.