The king is enraged, crazy, and orders the wise men throughout Babylon slaughtered because no one could tell him his dream and what it meant. (Dan 2)

But Daniel is calm.

His life and the lives of his friends are threatened, and Daniel is peaceful. He seeks counsel and wisdom.

Then, Daniel bravely goes in to the King’s presence and asks for some time that he might interpret the dream. (Dan 2:16)

This act alone could have meant immediate death for Daniel, but Daniel is granted his request.

He asks his three friends to pray and seek mercy from God that He might reveal to Daniel the dream and its meaning and save their lives from the irrational king’s fury.

Daniel is given the answer in a vision and then hurries to tell the king and save their lives.

No, not really- check the passage.

Though his life and the lives of his friends were on the line, Daniel STOPS
to praise the Lord.

“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.” (Dan 2:20-23)

How many times have I begged God to intervene and answer, and the when He does, just go on my merry way without stopping to acknowledge Him?

Honestly, too many. Way too many.

Too often, we don’t recognize God’s hand in our lives because we don’t stop and recognize God’s hand in our lives!

The more we look for Him the more we see Him.

God tells us through Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart”. (Jer 29:13)

Let’s be people who seek God for the answer, keep seeking Him in the waiting for the answer, and after we get the answer!

Let’s don’t forget from whom all blessings flow! And let’s don’t forget to praise Him!

Let’s start this week with praise. We know God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3).

Slow down and read Daniel’s words again. They are as true today as the day Daniel paused and spoke them so long ago—

“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.” (Dan 2:20-23)

May He give us eyes to see Him and voices to praise Him in this day.

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