GOD’S ALTERNATIVE
Daniel 1:8
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
The reason interposition is so critical in the political arena is that if righteous people do nothing, there is no reason that God should not bring judgment on a society. If His people sit on the sidelines, there are no other agents to stay the hand of God. But God calls us to interpose ourselves in this culture, to be a voice for righteousness, to stand up for the innocent, and to uphold God’s righteous standard in the community.
We are to show the world another option, what I call God’s alternative. That may include protesting the evil that is being allowed to hold sway in a society. There are a couple of ways to do that. One type of interposition is personal protest, based on biblical conviction, against unrighteous government action. Daniel did this as a young captive in Babylon, refusing to eat the king’s meat because he did not want to break God’s law and defile himself with unclean food (Daniel 1). But Daniel did more than just refuse the food. He offered the chief eunuch another option, suggesting that he allow Daniel and the other young men to eat vegetables. What we need in politics are godly people who will offer society a divine alternative. We need people who will stand up and say, “Your way is wrong, but let’s try this way, which is God’s way, and see if it makes a difference.”
REFLECTION: What might be an example of interposition in your own community? How can we stand up for what is right and still be respectful to our leaders? What role has God called you to in political affairs? Lord, show us how to offer wise options when we are presented with unwise options by our government. Give us the ability to find favor with the government in order to live according to Your will and way.
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