Daniel 2:46-48 (NKJV) Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
Have you ever found yourself striving and engaging in company politics in order to advance your career? Pursuing that promotion often comes at the expense of strained relationships, a broken family, and, sadly, a tarnished reputation for the Lord. It is easy to become so consumed by pursuing the promotion that we compromise our values and principles, sacrificing our time with God, and in doing so, becoming unrecognisable as the person we once were. There is a better way of being promoted that keeps us grounded, blessed, rested, and satisfied in our souls, and it is God’s kind of promotion.
It must have been a highly toxic environment to work for someone like King Nebuchadnezzar, who was known to be a tyrant, but Daniel did an excellent job with God’s help. It was not easy for Daniel to reject the king’s mandate, being a foreigner. He needed as much favour as possible without compromising with the local culture and values. Although there was no lack of delicacies and expensive wine presented to Daniel, he rejected the opportunity to upgrade his lifestyle and status because he wanted to comply with the Jewish law as an expression of worship and love for God. To honour God by not defiling himself, he needed to abstain from certain foods which were deemed as unclean under the Jewish law, and food that had been offered to idols. Through his actions, he made a stand against idolatry and pledged his allegiance to God.
It is every young person’s dream to become an advisor to the king. In today’s terms, that means being the president’s adviser on economic, social, and foreign affairs. If Daniel had not been a godly man who was firmly grounded in where God had placed him, he would not have allowed any opportunity through which the chief of eunuchs could disqualify him. Some people would pay any price just to be among the influential figures of the world. However, being able to whisper to the king’s ear is a double-edged sword because one could suffer or die for giving bad advice or failing to advise. Daniel has chosen to succeed in only one way—God’s way.
Daniel was an extraordinary man of God who chose to set himself apart to honour God. We can safely say that Daniel loved and prioritised God in his life. He made up his mind and purposed in his heart that he would not compromise on what was required of him as a Jew. Daniel remained faithful to God rather than seeking to please King Nebuchadnezzar.
Sermon Series：Promotion Comes From God
晋升来自于神
但以理书 2:46-48 当时尼布甲尼撒王俯伏在地，向但以理下拜，并且吩咐人给他奉上供物和香品。 王对但以理说：“你既能显明这奥秘的事，你们的神诚然是万神之神，万王之主，又是显明奥秘事的。” 于是王高抬但以理，赏赐他许多上等礼物，派他管理巴比伦全省，又立他为总理，掌管巴比伦的一切哲士。
你是否也曾为了升职加薪，在职场中疲于奔命，甚至卷入明争暗斗？为了追逐高位，不惜牺牲人际关系、家庭和睦，甚至以令主的名蒙羞为代价。当我们被晋升的欲望吞噬，以致妥协价值观和原则、牺牲与上帝亲近的时光，最终活成了自己都不认识的模样。但有一条更美的道路，能让我们扎根于祂，得祝福，灵魂得享安息与满足，就是上帝所赐的晋升。
在尼布甲尼撒王这样以暴政闻名的君王手下工作，环境想必极其恶劣，但但以理靠着神的帮助活出了卓越的见证。作为外族俘虏，拒绝王的命令本非易事。他需要在不妥协信仰的前提下，尽可能多地获得恩宠。虽然呈献给但以理的珍馐美酒从不缺乏，但他拒绝了能提升生活品质和地位的机会，因为他要遵守犹太律法，以此作为敬拜和爱神的表达。为了尊荣神而不玷污自己，他必须禁戒犹太律法视为不洁的食物，以及祭拜过偶像的饮食。通过这些行动，他表明了自己反对偶像崇拜的立场，以此宣告对神的忠诚。
成为国王的谋士是许多年轻人的梦想。用今天的话来说，这就好比担任总统的顾问，参与经济、社会、外交事务。如果但以理不是一个坚定扎根于上帝所安置之位的敬虔之人，他很可能就会给太监长留下可乘之机，使自己失去资格。有些人愿意付出任何代价，只为跻身世界权贵之列。然而，能够在君王耳边进言是一把双刃剑—因为献计不当或谏言失职，都可能招致祸患甚至杀身之罪。但以理只选择了一种成功之道—那就是上帝的道路。
但以理是一位非凡的神的仆人，他选择分别为圣来尊荣神。我们可以肯定地说，但以理一生都爱神并以神为首位。他立定心志，决意不妥协自己作为犹太人的信仰要求。但以理始终忠于神，而非寻求取悦尼布甲尼撒王。
讲章系列：晋升来自于神
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