Daniel, overcoming obstacles, tactfully.

When life is coming down on you and your life seems to be over. Remember that God is a big God and he can move mountains.

King Neb was tormented with a dream and he called the best men to interpret the meaning. When no one could do this, he ordered all wise men to be executed. This came at a bad time for Daniel and his friends. They were considered wise men. Daniel had to think quick, so he used tact and wisdom to overcome a HUGE obstacle, death.

This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
14 When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king's officer, "Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.

Tact: Aramaic, to taste, to form an opinion of something based on its flavor.

Daniel used tact with the knowledge he had. We could all use a dose of tact once in a while. Especially when it comes to the Christian label that the world has formed. I read that the food industry has labeled Christians as the worst tippers. On Sundays they get together in social groups at eateries and talk their Christian talk, then leave with less than 10% tip. Are there other reports that you have heard that have made you cringe? Those before us haven't made it easy for us. Some of them have made a trail of pain, deceit and worse, a distaste for Christianity, which is a relationship with Christ.

Being tactful doesn't mean flattery. It is having a delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate. When we consider our call as Christians, we must consider all the lives that are at stake. Don't represent Christianity unless you are ready and willing to have the utmost integrity. After all, sceptics are watching closely to see what makes our God better than what they currently have. If we know God and don't want to live apart from him, then our actions should draw others closer to him, not further away.

Dear Lord, give us the wisdom and tact that we need at times. It seems that everywhere we turn we have two choices to make, and others are right there watching to see what we decide. I love that I get to share you with others and that I am challenged to push my faith to the limits. I love to see how I can overcome temptations and obstacles, because you are always in that picture. Praise You for being my protector.