as time goes by (or bring on the birthday (cheese)cake!)

So…Daniel. Yeah, he’s cool.

Here I was, reading along, doing my observations on Daniel 4, not really expecting any surprises…after all…I have read it before. King Nebuchadnezzar is giving his testimony about the second prophetic dream the Lord gave him. Like the first, none of his magicians and conjurers or wise men can interpret it for him. Then I come along to verse 8…little old, unobtrusive verse 8. I didn’t even get through the whole verse…just the first five words: “But finally Daniel came in”. Finally? Finally Daniel came in? Where was Daniel? By this time, he and Nebby were good buddies, right? He had already done such a great job interpreting the king’s first dream. Nebuchadnezzar declared that “a spirit of the gods” was in Daniel and made him Chief Magician…so where was he when his subordinates were fumbling around all incompetent? One would think he’d be the first one called in. Why all the fuss? Why waste time?

This Sunday in Small Church we studied the story of Lazarus in John 11. Jesus hears his friend is sick and then waits two days before even starting to head in his direction. Lazarus has been dead for four days by the time Jesus arrives. Martha and Mary both know that Lazarus would not have died had Jesus been with him…so why wait? Christ even wept with them, though He was fully aware He would shortly call Lazarus forth from the grave. Why all the fuss of letting Lazarus die at all? Why wait?

Lazarus’ passing through death, and having the ties that bound him removed reminded me of Daniel’s three friends. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego also could have questioned the Lord’s timing. If He was planning on delivering them anyway, why not do that before the all the fuss of the fire? Why wait??

I know one of the answers to this question is commonly “God brings us through the fire to refine us.” And I agree…God will certainly use circumstances in our lives to burn away those impurities and make us all shiny. But I think there’s another answer, and that’s the one He’s hammering into my heart. Sometimes…it might not be about us at all. Sometimes…it’s about Him. Why send in the magicians and conjurers again? Why let Lazarus die? Why roast the faithful Jews? And getting ahead of myself a little…why throw Daniel in with the lions (who, by the way, was found innocent before the king AND the Lord…so I’m not so sure about the need for refining there)? Why wait?

Because it brings Him more glory.

How much more memorable is it to deliver Your servants from a roaring furnace, or a lions’ den, than to simply allow them to escape the king's hand? How much more astounding is it to raise a man from the dead than to heal a sick man? Because sometimes sick men (like those turned into newts) get better. How much more impressive was Daniel’s ability to interpret the dream when no one else was found capable? God waited, and His waiting brings Him the most glory.

So, let’s get practical. Why is this important to me? I am about to turn 28. And I’ve been whining about that a bit. I would be fine with being 28…if I were married. If I could see a family in my near future. If my life was going as I had planned, according to my schedule. And I’m tired of being told to wait; that God’s preparing me…or refining me…or whatever me. I feel prepared. To be perfectly honest, I feel like I can relate to Daniel pretty well right now. I’m found living in obedience, innocent before the Lord. (Please don’t misunderstand me…I’m quite aware of my sinfulness…but as far as where God is calling me, and what He is calling me to do…I am confident that I am right where He would have me.) So, why wait?

What if…it’s all about Him? What if all this waiting will bring Him the most glory? I can live with that. In fact, isn’t that what I’m living for?

So, no more complaining about being old. I will hold fast to this truth: God orchestrates events and circumstances to bring glory to Himself…and He’s all about the timing. My patience will be rooted in knowing not just that He is working things out for my good; He is working things out for His glory. In all my struggles with singleness, this is the most precious truth He has given me. And what amazes me is…this is not a new truth for me. It’s just been spoken a bit louder this last week, and I’ve heard it a little more clearly. Sometimes, God waits. But…

Finally, Daniel came in.