Newsletter February 2021 Part 2
Conform or transform?
Soon it will have been a full year since we first went into lockdown. Who would have thought in February 2020 that the pictures from the other side of the globe would soon become a present reality for us too. And even then, how many of us realised that we would still find ourselves in this situation in 2021? All the plans we had for 2020 suddenly evaporated and even now there are so many uncertainties that we dare not plan ahead. We don’t know how long it will be before we return to any form of ‘normality’ and we cannot fully envisage the long-term economic and social impact of this pandemic.
When Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, conquered Jerusalem in 586 B.C. the people of Judah must have felt like everything familiar was taken from them. The Babylonians not only looted the temple of the true and living God and took its precious articles to their country to be used in the worship of their idols (Dan. 1:1ff); they also took some of the most gifted young nobles of Judah as captives to be transformed into Babylonians so they could incorporate them into their elite and thus make use of their abilities. They were given Babylonian names and presented with the best food from the king’s table with the expectation that, after a three-year period of training, they would be ready to serve their new masters. However, these young men from Judah were determined to keep their identity as God’s people and refused to eat meat that was unclean according to God’s Law.
As the king’s chief officer Ashpenaz feared that the young men would grow weak and that he would be held accountable for this, he urged them to eat. However, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah requested that they be allowed to abstain from the forbidden meat for a trial period of ten days, fully convinced that God would keep them strong and healthy. (Dan. 1:11-14) And so Ashpenaz agreed and, at the end of the trial, their appearance was healthier than that of any of their fellow trainees who had eaten the king’s food. And God blessed them for their faithfulness and gave them great knowledge and skill, and to Daniel He gave an understanding of visions and dreams far beyond that of any of the Babylonian learned men.
Like these young men of Judah, we have suddenly found ourselves in a type of captivity. Much of what we were used to has been taken from us – both in respect our personal freedoms and our worship. We have had to adapt to restrictions to the point that we have come to accept them as a ‘new normal’. We are compliant because we recognise that it is both in our own interest and in the interest of our society as a whole that we stop the spread of Covid, and we hope that one day we will see the benefits of our compliance. Meanwhile, however, political and societal changes are taking place which will impact our lives well beyond this pandemic.
As God’s people, we have always lived in a world that constantly seeks to shape us into its image; but now, it appears, the pressures to conform are increasing at an alarming rate. The pandemic and the resulting lockdown is creating new facts and, before we know it, we may find ourselves conforming to the ways of this world and adopting its value systems more than we would ever have imagined.
Paul’s words to the believers living in the capital city of the pagan Roman Empire should therefore challenge us today: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:1-2)
In these times, we must withstand the pressures to conform to the ways of this world and instead be transformed by the power of God’s Spirit. Despite all the challenges we may face in our personal lives, we need to focus our minds on God’s purpose more than ever. Instead of worrying about the future, we need to trust in His leading and His provision. Our God is faithful, and He will make a way where there seems to be no way!
As Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah received spiritual understanding of God’s purpose when they stayed faithful to Him, He opened up doors for them to proclaim His name to their captors. Like these young men from Judah, we live in a world that is not our real home. We are citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom and, as such, His ambassadors. As Daniel and his companions impacted Babylon, we too can impact our world if only we allow Him to transform us. If we renew our minds through God’s word and prayer, we will be able to see the world through His eyes and understand His purpose for us and for the world in which we live as foreigners. His purposes are ours and therefore we must be determined, like Daniel and his friends, not to adapt to the ways of this world.
Daniel always remembered who he was and put God first in everything. Therefore, when Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that no one else in Babylon could interpret, it was Daniel who interpreted it. (Dan. 2:1ff) Giving glory to God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe and the source of all wisdom, Daniel explained the dream’s meaning to the king. Consequently Nebuchadnezzar too gave glory to the true God and appointed Daniel chief administrator over all his advisors. (Dan. 2:46-49)
If we follow Daniel’s example and seek God and His kingdom first, He will open doors for us and add to us all that we need to progress in this life. (Matt. 6:33) We may be distracted by our difficult circumstances and tempted to trust in our own ability as we strive to make it in this life, but we will always find that we come to a place where we recognise our limitations. If we did not know this before, Covid and the resulting lockdown has certainly revealed it to us.
Yet with God there are no such limitations! Therefore let us always put Him first, live in obedience to Him and allow Him to transform us into the perfect image of Christ. Let us give ourselves as sacrifices to Him as He gave Himself a sacrifice for us. If we remain faithful to Him His presence will be with us – even in the fiery furnace of a hostile world. (Daniel 3:24-25) God is able to do far more than we can imagine when His power works in us and through us – to His glory. (Eph. 3:20-21)
Pastor Konrad