The Kings He Served (New Year Service)

This passage deals with the story of Daniel, taken captive to Babylon, who served several kings as prime minister in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. In particular, it shows God's sovereign work through two opposite outcomes: Belshazzar, king of Babylon, who proudly defied God, dies under a sudden judgment, while King Darius, who lived carefully, rescues Daniel from the lions' den.

The sermon points out that the kings' fates were decided by their attitudes. God gave Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar warnings and opportunities, but they were absorbed in their power and pleasures and did not repent. Daniel, on the other hand, prayed and trusted God with unchanging faith, however harsh his circumstances. His faith revealed God's greatness to the powerful of the world, King Darius and King Cyrus, and in the end it became the occasion that gave the people of Israel their return and hope.

It asks whether we are looking at the fast-changing world and the international situation in the news with spiritual eyes, and responding sensitively to God's warning signals. Please think together about what changes take place when we do our best in our own place while not giving in to the temptations of the world, and live in the fear of God.