The Lord is Good to Me!

Sounds like the start of an uplifting song of praise. I think that I can better understand Arioch than most folks. Having served in the military and as a security officer, I have an insight or two into what he may have felt. Oh, you might be wondering, "Arioch, who's Arioch?" Some of you Bible scholars will recognize the name, or maybe you play the expert level in a Bible trivia game. Arioch was the captain of the king's guard given the order to execute all the wise men in Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom when they could not tell the king his dream and what it meant.

Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel. (Dan 2:14-15)

Arioch probably didn't much like the orders he received. This was not a security matter. The king was sleep-deprived and upset, and he gave a murderous order. Arioch was not throwing his life on the line to save the king from an assassin like a Secret Service agent might do for our president. He may have been walking by the throne room to check his guards at just the wrong time when the king looked around for someone to carry out his dirty work. Arioch probably knew many of these wise men and had gone to them for counsel now and then. Then, he met Daniel.

Arioch probably sought for some help from his gods, or we hope, God himself. God sent His mercy in the form of a captive from Judea. Arioch had the opportunity to witness God's love in action as Daniel revealed not only the interpretation but that famous dream that Nebuchadnezzar could not even recall in the light of day. Everyone won that day. Daniel and his friends lived to see another day, Nebuchadnezzar got some sleep, and Arioch didn't have to carry out an awful order. We only know the man's name and his job, but along with Arioch we can say today, "The Lord is good to me!"

I pray this day that the Lord will relieve you of some great stress in your life,

Bucky