Sovereign over everyone
Opening Prayer
God, You are still revealing Yourself. Give me a heart that perceives and responds.
Read DANIEL 2:1–23
[1] In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. [2] So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, [3] he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.” [4] Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” [5] The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. [6] But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.” [7] Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.” [8] Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: [9] If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.” [10] The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. [11] What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.” [12] 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. 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 deposes kings and raises up others. 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. [23] I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does God speak creatively?God is sovereign over those who yield and also in the lives of those who resist him. He directs Daniel through visions (19), but he also grabs Nebuchadnezzar’s attention through nightmares (1,3). Like many great leaders, Nebuchadnezzar probably battled insecurity and trust issues. Nebulous fears led to rash and irrational reactions (5). The hapless astrologers confess the bankruptcy of their human wisdom and the necessity for divine revelation (11). As before (1:8–13), Daniel tackles a thorny situation with “wisdom and tact” (14) and commendable boldness (15,16). Daniel’s dependence is entirely on “the God of heaven” (a phrase recurring four times in this chapter) who “reveals deep and hidden things” (22); when he turns to his friends, it is not for human counsel, but for prayer support (18). Daniel is also prompted to praise. His praise focuses first on who God is (20–22), and only then on how his need has been met (23). Praise not only magnifies God, it also gives us perspective; Daniel recognizes that it is God who sets up kings and deposes them (21).
Apply
Pray to be shown God’s perspective on a perplexing situation in your life.
Closing prayer
God, You are King over all. Let me not be intimidated regardless of whomever I stand before, for I am in You.
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