Ambassadors For Christ: The Daniel Effect
The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Daniel 6:20 (NKJV)
For Christians, what is the Daniel effect? It’s the exceptional PR campaign of four young men in a pagan nation. It’s the effect of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of three idolatrous kings:
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,
Darius, king of the Persian empire,
Cyrus the Great, his godly successor.
Just imagine it! The most powerful kings on earth declared the supremacy of the Most High God!
King Cyrus followed God one step further: After 70 years of subjection in Babylon, he helped the Jews return to Israel.
Surely, the unparalleled performance of Daniel (and friends) in representing the Almighty God makes modern ad men look like street vendors.
How did they do it?
1) Professional excellence: 'In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom' (Daniel 1:20).
2) Unfailing integrity: When Daniel's envious associates tried to discredit him before the king, they 'Could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent' (Daniel 6:4).
3) Unshakable loyalty: When 'The king placed Daniel in a high position... at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego administrators' (Daniel 2:48-49). Daniel didn’t forget his Jewish kin.
4) Speaking the truth when it’s hard: ‘O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity' (Daniel 4:27). *
5) Giving all glory to God: 'No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in Heaven Who reveals mysteries' (Daniel 2:27-28). Daniel refused to take any credit.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Always remember the Daniel effect. Let YOUR right actions precede your right words. When you act in the Fruit of the Spirit, you’re constructing a platform of respect.
From that personal and professional position of kindness and distinction… you can most effectively rep Jesus. As God promises:
“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3).
Ambassadors For Christ: The Daniel Effect (Part 6)
* Please recall that Daniel was a trusted advisor to the king before he was called by God to speak this hard warning.
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.