A question was asked not long ago as to why Daniel, the Prophet and man of faith as described in the Book of Daniel, is not specifically mentioned in the list of faithful as outlined in Hebrews 11. The question was a good one, for most have never carefully considered the life of Daniel, those mentioned in the Book of Hebrews, or the very matters of faith itself. But in the ancient of times, the Israelites absolutely pondered these critical issues as they tried to sing the Lord’s Song in a strange and foreign land. It was a time when the people of God were in captivity, struggling with the question: Has God abandoned us?
It is the word "faith" that has been use so much for so many years that has been instrumental in the dramatic change in so many people and also caused the rise and fall of so many nations. It is a word that challenges our very soul. It was the verse from the Prophet Habakkuk and then the words from the Apostle Paul that opened the eyes of Saint Augustine to a greater understanding of faith.
...but the righteous will live by his faith Habakkuk 2:4b
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:17
Augustine started to put the pieces of the puzzle together as he read the dialogue between God and the Prophet Habakkuk. For Habakkuk was trying to comprehend the ways of God at a time when it seemed that evil in Judah was going unpunished. It was a testing of faith as Habakkuk was perplexed by wickedness, oppression and injustice that were being served to the Israelites. It was God’s reply to Habakkuk’s doubts, and later, the passion of Paul’s writings, that captured the mind and soul of Saint Augustine during his own difficult times. Simply, that righteousness begins with faith.
Despite the many debates today by various religions, absolute truth remains firm as the Word of God was written in the ancient of times, recorded and amplified in the Bible with such Books as Daniel, Habakkuk, Romans, and Hebrews that gives us not lists, but fire in our hearts. These are books that help all of us to understand justice and bring the blessing of faith to the weak, the tired and the lost. For without justice, there is no truth. And without truth, there is no faith. And without faith, there is no hope.
Unfortunately, in today’s world, many have taken possession of the word faith and made it into one’s own relative truth. In an age of tolerance, many governments, nations, and churches have made compromises in the truth of faith for the sake of peace. Have these same people forgotten the words of the Prophets and Christ that there is division between the wicked and the righteous.
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14 Jeremiah 8:11
The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace. Isaiah 59:8
...those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign LORD ." Ezekiel 13:16
"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." Luke 12:49-51
Too often we want to sign up or donate something to work off our guilt instead of a willful sacrifice of love to God. We seek membership or enrollment to calm our fears instead of a service of trust to God. Yet, the Book of Daniel and Hebrews illustrates what is important, for there will be times, the authenticity of faith will be tested in our life, as well as an accounting of such matters. This is how the master craftsman separates gold from rocks, wheat from chaff, sheep from goats.
Today, it is easy to use the word "faith" and make it into the object of one’s own truth. For example, when a person proclaims that their faith has helped them--what does that really mean? What do they have faith in--faith in others, faith in church, faith in prayers, faith in angels, or does one have faith in a list of many things?
There were other great people of faith besides the list of the faithful in Hebrews 11 - Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Job, Ruth, Hosea and many more. They all were different characters, but all had one common characteristic - UNCOMPROMISED FAITH. They all eventually understood justification by a just God in periods of injustice and dark times. Their object of faith was God and nothing else. They understood that in the midst of man’s great plans,...God made other plans.
If one reads closely Hebrews 11, the author does refer to these men of faith, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel in the Book of Daniel who went under fire:
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Hebrews 11:32-34
We must remember that the Book of Daniel and especially Hebrews 11, is not a checklist of the faithful, but books that teaches us the NATURE of FAITH and what it means to LIVE BY FAITH.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16
People of God, serve an unseen God and yet are certain of His power. Simply put, the people of God trust Him. So despite a name being omitted, disappointments in our journey of faith, or pangs of self-righteous pride in our walk through life, we must understand what the Psalmist wrote:
Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:8-10
The Book of Daniel and Hebrews clearly teaches us the object-the center and the focus of our faith-Christ Lord Son of Man Son of God
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:6-8
It should not be a surprise to us that in all the titles Jesus used to describe His Deity, the most used by Jesus in all the pages of Scripture was "Son of Man".
In the confusion of the joys and woes in our life, the writher of Hebrews reminds us of our goal by a list of some of the faithful who ran a good race and knew their destination.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:1-4
So, what do we do with the list of the faithful, or these words of faith?
He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. Daniel 12:9-10
"As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." Daniel 12:13
The Lord spoke to Daniel as he speaks to us. The message is very clear: "Rest"...Be still...Be quiet...Hold your tongue...I am your God and the justified will receive the inheritance of My Kingdom.
Enclosed is a hymn that simply captures all that has been written to help us understand the purposeful life of Daniel, a man of faith under fire. This hymn was also the favorite of Eric Little, an unknown athlete who does not appear in any Professional Hall of Fame but became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath, as depicted in the movie, Chariots of Fire. By refusing to run a race on the Sabbath, he denied his desire for a gold medal. He also denied an opportunity for wealth and fame in business, and instead, went into the mission field in China, thereby sacrificing his life in willful service for his love and trust in God. As a missionary, Eric was imprisoned during War II (where he is said to have taught this hymn to others in the prison camp) where he eventually died of a brain tumor, but not before he taught countless millions of people the destination of our faith. A place set for us, not by lists or honors, or external religious beliefs, but faith under fire, in a God that never changes. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.