DAILY E-MAIL SIGN UP
PRINTER FRIENDLY
FONT SIZE 
aseball pitchers aren't usually known for their power hitting, and Gaylord Perry wasn't really known for power of any kind. He was a junk-ball pitcher and a downright awful hitter, so no one doubted his prediction early in his career when he said, “They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run.” He was right. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the surface of the moon. A few hours later, Gaylord Perry hit the only home run of his career, fulfilling one of the best-timed predictions in sports.
Daniel's prediction about the demise of Belshazzar's kingdom didn't take long to come true either. But first, Daniel received yet another reward for faithfully delivering the message of God. It was ironic that he would receive such an extravagant bonus considering that he asked not to receive it (v. 17) and the substance of his prediction was judgment against the king. When Israel's kings were issued God's judgment, they lashed out at the prophets. In Babylon, however, the respect for prophets must have been exceedingly great. Daniel was awarded the highest available spot in the kingdom.
But Daniel's prediction came about too quickly for his promotion to make much difference. The very night that Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall, the forces of Darius took Babylon and executed the king. The biblical record of Darius the Mede differs from other historical documents that identify no such name, instead naming Cyrus the Persian as the leader who overtook Babylon. It's possible that Darius was either a ruler who served under Cyrus or even another name for Cyrus himself.
For Israel, the rule of Cyrus opened the door for the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Daniel never returned to his homeland, but he upheld the faith across a seventy-year span of exile and testing. His courageous moral stands kept his own integrity intact and brought glory to the name of God and His people in an otherwise pagan kingdom.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel seemed to be the lone voice of faith in a decadent kingdom. He was outnumbered but never marginalized.
That is a crucial lesson for believers in today's world. We may not be able to sway the beliefs of an entire nation, but by boldly living out our faith, we can bring attention to God's name. Direct your steps according to God's ways, and His glory will be made known.
| < Previous Day | Next Day > |
