The Image

The following devotional is the third in a short series focusing on Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the great statue of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay.

"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 . . ." (Dan 2:27-28)

Daniel has just been shown in a vision the mystery of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation. Immediately after praising God for what He had done, Daniel goes to the king with the information. And just what are the king's first words to Daniel? Not "Hello, how are you"! Nor does he say, "I haven't met you before. Welcome to my palace."! Instead, he jumps right into the issue at hand: "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?" (Dan 2:26)

Now, just take a moment to think. What if YOU were in Daniel's shoes? God has just revealed to you a great mystery, the revelation of which will save you and your friends, as well as all the other Wiseman of Babylon from a death decree. It took all of your courage for you to bring your interpretation before the king. What would your reaction be if the very first words out of his mouth are: "Are YOU able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"

In all reality, I might have been a bit intimidated. I might have begun to doubt myself, maybe even to doubt what God had shown me. I might have begun to wonder if, perhaps, it had all been my imagination. What if I was wrong? I certainly wouldn't want to attach God's name to something that might not be correct! Because of this, I just might have been tempted to say, "Yes, I am able to tell you what you saw in your dream!"

Or another common scenario might have been this: There you stand before the king of a world empire, and this mighty ruler asks YOU if YOU can tell him what he saw in his dream! It would be so simple, so innocent, to say "Yes, my king! I CAN!"

But Daniel didn't fall into either one of these traps! "Daniel replied, '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. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.'" (Dan 2:27-28)

No, Daniel's faith in God never wavered for a second! His trust that what he had was seen from the Lord never faltered! And since it was from the Lord, it must, indeed, be what Nebuchadnezzar had seen in his dream! Neither did Daniel allow pride to taint his response. Instead, he used the situation to bring honor and glory to the Lord! ". . . There is a God in Heaven who reveals mysteries."

Lord God, how much more powerful my testimony would be if I would but follow Daniel's example! If I would never allow my faith in what God has revealed to me to falter! If I would never allow pride to taint my responses! If I would but use any and all situations to bring honor and glory to YOU! Help me this day to have the faith, humility, and courage to stand up, no matter what the circumstances, and say: "There is a God in Heaven . . ."

"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 . . ." (Dan 2:27-28)

Please see the Saturday's edition of The Illustrator for The Image, Part 4. Love in Christ,

Lyn

Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/ ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org ,