Everyday…24/7…365 days a year, year after year the Bad News bombards us. One of the songs from the TV Show, Hee-Haw was, “If it weren’t for bad news, we would have no news at all.” Yes, there are bad & evil things happening but… How are you responding?

We can follow the role models seen on TV with emotional rants referring to people they disagree with as sub-human, or we can follow the role models found in God’s Word. It’s a choice. But understand, from God’s point of view, it’s His Way completely or the world’s. Remember what Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24) In other words, you can’t sprinkle a little Jesus in with your venomous social media post to make it OK.

In the last few months, I have found new Bible hero’s, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They have taught me so much about living & thriving in an evil environment. They did not compromise their faith. They did not run. They kept the main thing, the main thing. And they didn’t get caught up in senseless arguments. To top it off, they thrived. “Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.” (Daniel 2:48-49)

So how did Daniel deal with all the evil? In Daniel 8, God revealed to Daniel what was coming. It was the terrifying wrath of God’s Judgment. “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.” “I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days.” (Daniel 8:26-27) Maybe you are exhausted & worn out from all the bad news. Daniel was. So, what did Daniel do? This is fascinating. “Then I got up and went about the king’s business.” BAM!

Daniel didn’t understand it all, but He trusted God. Daniel knew without question God was in charge. He knew that Sovereign God places & removes kings (Daniel 2:21) at His will. So, Daniel went back to his responsibilities. He went back to work for the king.

Our King, King Jesus gave us all a very clear and direct order, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

We either choose the way of the world or the way of our Lord Jesus. What is your response?