The Work of God

"Jesus answered,

 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'" 

— John 6:29

In our journey through Lent, we often become preoccupied with the "doing"—the fasting, the extra prayers, and the intentional acts of service. Like the crowd in John 6 who asked, "What must we do to do the works God requires?", we possess an innate desire to justify our standing through a checklist of "good actions." We want a formula for being "good people" that we can manage and measure. Yet, Jesus provides a disruptive answer that reorients our entire spiritual economy. He shifts the focus from our many works to a single, foundational "work": belief. As the theologian Oswald Chambers once noted, "The 'work' of the Christian is not a series of acts, but the continuous act of faith in the Person of Jesus Christ." This is the "digging deep" we find in Luke 6:48; it is the realization that before we can produce the "cypress" instead of the "thorn" (Isaiah 55:13), we must be rooted in the One who is the Source of all life.

This does not mean that "good actions" are irrelevant, but rather that their origin must be corrected. If we attempt to do "the works of God" without the "work of God" (belief), we are merely building on sand. True obedience is the natural overflow of a heart that rests entirely in the "gift of God" described in Ephesians 2:8. As C.S. Lewis observed, "Faith is the only thing that can ever make us do the things we should do." When we believe in the One whom God has sent, our actions cease to be a heavy burden of self-improvement and become a joyful response of mercy and justice. We find that our radical hospitality and secret deeds of kindness are no longer tools to earn God’s favor, but are the "good works prepared in advance" for us to walk in because we are already His "handiwork."

Ultimately, the "work of belief" is a daily surrender of our need to be the architects of our own salvation. During this Lenten season, we are invited to stop asking "What must I do?" and start resting in "What He has done." This belief is not a passive mental shrug, but an active, life-shaping trust that reflects the truth of 1 John 3:18, loving "with actions and in truth." When our lives are anchored in the Person of Jesus, our "good actions" become the "everlasting sign" that Isaiah promised—a testimony that God’s Word has watered our souls and accomplished exactly what He desired. By focusing on this one "work," we ensure that every other action we take is built on the Rock, resilient enough to stand through any storm and vibrant enough to bring glory to our Father in heaven.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we confess that we often try to please You with a multitude of tasks while our hearts remain far from You. Teach us the "work" of belief today. Help us to rest so deeply in the One You have sent that our lives naturally overflow with Your love and justice. May our actions be the fruit of our faith, and may our faith be firmly rooted in Your grace. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Standing Firm in Babylon

Courage and Conviction

Thriving in Exile

The Training of God’s Servants

Resisting Conformity, Reflecting Christ

God’s Sovereignty in Chaos

Lessons from Daniel and Friends

Living Faithfully in a World Not Our Own 

Excellence Without Compromise: Daniel’s Example

Training the Gifted

Daniel and Friends in the Court of Nebuchadnezzar

The story of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, as recorded in Daniel 1, is a timeless example of God’s sovereignty and the steadfastness of His people in the face of adversity. These young men were born in a period of reform under King Josiah, but they lived through the devastation of Judah’s fall and found themselves exiled in Babylon. Despite their circumstances, they emerged as beacons of integrity, wisdom, and faithfulness, influencing a foreign empire while remaining loyal to God.

God’s Sovereignty in Tragedy (Daniel 1:1-2)

Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem and the deportation of Judah’s brightest young minds might have seemed like a triumph of evil. Yet, as Matthew Henry notes, “God makes use of the worst of men to do His work.” The plundering of the temple and the exile of Daniel and his friends were not signs of God’s absence but rather His sovereign plan unfolding. Walter Brueggemann highlights that such moments remind us that “faith is not negated by catastrophe but deepened in exile.”

In times of upheaval—whether caused by natural disasters, personal tragedies, or societal chaos—it can be tempting to question God’s control. Daniel 1:2 reassures us that even when it seems as though evil is prevailing, God is still at work, directing history toward His purposes. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

Resisting Cultural Assimilation (Daniel 1:7-8)

In Babylon, Daniel and his friends faced immense pressure to conform. Their names, rooted in their identity as God’s people, were changed to reflect the gods of Babylon. Yet, as Derek Kidner points out, “A name change cannot alter the heart that belongs to God.”

The king’s food, likely offered to idols and contrary to Jewish dietary laws, presented another challenge. Daniel resolved not to defile himself, demonstrating a quiet but firm resistance. John Calvin observes, “Daniel shows that true faith brings not only reverence for God but also courage to refuse what is displeasing to Him.”

In our own lives, we encounter similar pressures to assimilate into cultures that do not honor God. Eugene Peterson reminds us that “faithfulness is a long obedience in the same direction.” Like Daniel, we are called to navigate these tensions with wisdom, grace, and unwavering commitment to God’s commands.

God’s Favor and Provision (Daniel 1:9, 1:20-21)

Daniel’s decision to honor God did not go unnoticed. God granted him favor with the Babylonian officials and gave him and his friends unparalleled wisdom and understanding. As Charles Spurgeon eloquently puts it, “When we walk in God’s way, He walks with us.”

Their success in Babylonian training was not a compromise of their faith but a demonstration of God’s power to bless His people in the most unlikely circumstances. Rick Warren emphasizes, “Your integrity is your best defense. When you honor God, He opens doors no one can shut.”

Daniel’s story teaches us that standing for God often comes with divine intervention at just the right moment. David Guzik notes, “When we dare to be different, we see the hand of God in ways others do not.”

Faithfulness in Exile

Daniel and his friends thrived in Babylon without losing their identity as God’s people. N.T. Wright draws a parallel to the church today, calling believers to be “faithful witnesses in a world not yet redeemed.”

Martin Lloyd-Jones captures this tension well: “The Christian is not of this world, yet he must live in it and witness to it.” Daniel exemplifies this by excelling in his responsibilities while maintaining his spiritual convictions.

Their story challenges us to see every situation—whether a new job, a move, or a personal trial—as an opportunity to glorify God. Henri Nouwen’s words resonate here: “The greatest spiritual task is to live in the world without belonging to it.”

Lessons for Today

1. Trust God’s Sovereignty: Even when circumstances seem chaotic, God is in control. As Daniel 1 reminds us, history is in His hands.

2. Resist Conformity: Upholding God’s standards in a culture that opposes them requires courage and faith.

3. Pursue Excellence: Like Daniel and his friends, seek to glorify God through your work and integrity.

4. Rely on God’s Provision: God provides wisdom, favor, and protection to those who remain faithful to Him.

Conclusion

The story of Daniel and his friends is ultimately a story of hope. It shows us that God’s plans are not thwarted by exile, suffering, or the schemes of earthly powers. As Dallas Willard reminds us, “God’s kingdom is never at risk.”

May we, like Daniel, resolve to honor God in all circumstances, trusting that He is at work even in the most challenging seasons of life. Let us remember, as John Stott wrote, that “the purpose of life is not to be comfortable but to be conformed to the image of Christ.”

Daniel and his friends serve as powerful examples of what it means to live faithfully in a foreign land, pointing us to the ultimate truth that God reigns, and His kingdom will never fail.

Closing Prayer

“Sovereign God, You are in control of all things, even when the world around us seems chaotic and uncertain. Give us the courage to stand firm in our faith, the wisdom to navigate challenges with integrity, and the grace to reflect Your love and truth in all we do. May we, like Daniel and his friends, honor You in every circumstance, trusting in Your provision and plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Soli Deo Gloria