Daniel...young man, forcibly removed from home and placed in a foreign country. Indoctrinated with the ways of that country, yet he remains committed to the the God he knows...the God of his people.
King Nebuchadnezzer has a dream that he is frightened by, and he calls all of his normal 'wise men' to interpret it for him, but with a twist: He will not tell them the dream! He wants them to come up with his dream, AND the interpretation!
Their response? "Impossible"!
Of course it is! Who can read minds?
Nebuchadnezzer is furious, and demands that all 'wise men' be killed--along with prophets, etc. from the foreign lands (like Daniel).
How does Daniel respond? He calls a prayer meeting with his 3 friends...
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. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
Daniel responds to this direct threat by praying! He calls together his 3 friends, and they pray throughout the night that God would give him the dream and it's interpretation...and He does!
So, Daniel is able go to Nebuchadnezzer and give him the dream and it's interpretation...but he is clear: This is NOT because HE (Daniel) is all that special...it's because GOD IS!
"No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries."
Despite trying circumstances, despite pressure, despite a possible death sentence, Daniel knows where to go--to the God of his people! HE is the key to Daniel's success and security.
...and, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, HE is the key to OUR success and security as well!
Your need may not be for a dream to be interpreted, but whatever your challenges and trials, whatever circumstances you find yourself in, remember..."There IS a God in Heaven!"
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