May 22: DIVINE LOGIC AND ANSWERED PRAYER!
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel 2:19
Daniel’s humble request to the king, to grant him some time (v.16), against all odds, was honored by the king. Daniel’s use of that time is a lesson for us today. Gathering his friends for prayer (vv.17-18) was the only hope of discovering a solution to the looming problem of the king’s death sentence.
A similar situation highlights a Daniel-like character in the New Testament. Ten men were under the death sentence of leprosy. All ten cried out to Jesus for mercy, but only one returned to thank Him for healing (Luke 17:13-16). To approach the Lord with our plea(s) is the correct action in every crisis. But once the resolution has come, should not our first action be to thank Him? Daniel’s example here is given to benefit each of us personally. Why not make a list of answered prayers and kneel before Him in gratitude today? The history of God’s faithfulness strengthens our hope for the future.
Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; 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 demand.” Daniel 2:20-23
It may seem incredible that, following an evening of fervent prayers with his friends, Daniel lay down peacefully and went to sleep. It was then that God gave Daniel the same dream that the king had been given. Daniel’s morning prayer of thankfulness contains numerous details assuring us of God’s sure and certain answer. Not only did Daniel experience Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he understood it! Let us zoom in on two points made by Daniel about his God: He gives wisdom to the wise. Daniel knew that he needed wisdom, and he was wise enough to ask for it. Divine logic says: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5). Also, He gives…knowledge to those who have understanding. Daniel understood that, apart from God’s help, he would not know the meaning of the dream. Notice Daniel’s thankful heart in acknowledging the help of his friends in prayer: [You] have now made known to me what we asked of You.
Beloved, know right now that seeking the mercies of God with your friends is a precious thing to Him. Oh, how He wants to bless!
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:16-17