Daniel The Dreamer

Feb. 3

Read: Daniel 2:17-45

Daniel The Dreamer

“Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” (v.19)

Imagine Daniels relief when his prayer and those of his brothers were answered by the Lord. The resolution came through a dream… a “vision of the night”. It is odd for us to think of God communicating this way with his people, yet Acts 2:17 plainly states “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…” This is a clear mark of the Spirit of God resting on a person. It was true of Daniel as it is true of us. God reveals to Daniel what he could not know on his own, and opens his mind to nature of what is crushing the spirit of the king.

The only fit response to God showing up this way is to give thanks, blessing, and worship. (cf. v.20-23) Daniel celebrates what must be TRUE about God if he is ever going to carry the weight that has been given to him. The heart of Daniel’s worship is the key to our being able to endure in the midst of a culture and authority that is set against the Lord. Look at what Daniel celebrates:

Wisdom and might belong to God (v.20) -

When we have questions that need answering, we should approach the Lord as well as those around us. We forget that God has ALL wisdom, and is able to speak and give insight in any matter. When we are facing problems at work that need solutions, trying to make decisions about purchases, or even seeking to understand something we are studying… God is the giver of wisdom and HE KNOWS. He is also the source of strength… or “might”. Lord knows… literally… that I could use a dose of strength! Couldn’t we all? Sometimes our biggest problems truly are that we are willing spirits in a weak body.

He controls EVERYTHING (v.21) -

We will never take the bold risks like Daniel or be able to endure the brutal parts of life if we lose sight of God’s sovereign control. We may we comfortable with him controlling the “seasons”, but what about the authority around us? Have we forgotten that God “removes kings and sets up kings” ? Whether we like to admit it… or can “make sense of it”… the BIBLICAL truth is that God is the one who tears kings down and sets them up. This HAS TO shape how we respond to modern politics and the like. Think about this during the next election cycle. You will never be able to serve the Lord on the mission he has sent you on if you think that humans are ultimately in control. You will be disproportionately wrapped up in who the next “king” (read “president”) is if you don’t grasp this truth. Ever worse, you WILL be disappointed when your greatest hope is anchored in some candidate other than Christ. No donkey or elephant will ever suffice!

Revealer of hidden things (v.22) -

Most importantly, God is the revealer of hidden things. He reveals to us our hidden motives. He reveals to us the hidden traps laid out for us by the enemy. He reveals to us HIS knowledge and wisdom. What is it that bothers you so deeply? God can and will reveal it to you. What is it that you need most in this world? The Lord will answer that question for you. What is it about the world around you that you are missing? Ask God to open your eyes to it. Here is the truth, the Kingdom of God is hidden from those who have not been given eyes to see it! (cf. Matt. 13:1, Luke 8:10, John 3:3) We must ask God to open our eyes so that we can see HIS KINGDOM growing… otherwise we will only see the hurt and wreckage of the world and this will lead to desperation. The cruelty of life can only be properly endured and put into perspective when we can see the goodness and hope of the Kingdom of God. Similarly, when we look around us and sense that there is something bigger, greater, deeper, going on “behind the scenes” we must seek the Lord to show us. He will open our eyes to the truth. God is WILLING to make these things known to us: “for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.” (v.23)

The destruction and dismantling of every earthly kingdom and human convention is inevitable. Sooner or later these things ALL pass away. They are fleeting. The kings dream says as much. Daniel knows it. The king knows it. We should know it as well. There is a strange peace that comes over our spirits when we admit this… Nebuchadnezzar felt it when he found what was troubling his soul. He fell down on his face in awe. The power, might, and goodness of God is uniquely revealed when the people of God act and speak boldly with the words of God like Daniel. Not only did he provide relief for the spirit of the king, he also saved the life of his friends and all the other wise men around. The people of God will cut through the noise and become the ones bringing hope and sparing life when we learn to boldly ask and receive from the Lord… even if the answers come in a way we are not familiar with such as through dreams or visions. This is how we can navigate a culture that is hostile towards us, remaining hopeful, and eventually rescuing those the Lord has sent us to! Love you guys. -JDP