A bold move, one that requires a healthy helping of faith.

Have you ever made such a move? Daniel did.

A ruthless, arrogant king of Babylon named Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and demanded that someone not only interpret his dream, but also tell him the dream he had.

None of the wise men in the king’s court could do so.

So…the king ordered for them all to be killed, destroyed, which included Daniel and his friend.

Here’s Daniel’s bold step—he went into the king and requested time for himself to declare the dream and interpret it, which the king granted.

Did Daniel KNOW the dream prior to this request of the king?

Nope.

This was a step (a leap?) of faith and demonstrated just how much confidence he had in his God.

Looking at Daniel 1:17, what did God do prior to this?…

“As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.”

Why did God do this? To answer this question, we must look at Daniel 1:8…

“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.”

A strong conviction. A nudge from above. A purposing of your heart.

Have you experienced any of the above and wondered why?

I have.

Taking the “birds-eye” view of scripture is something that I LOVE to do as I’m immersed in a passage of scripture.

Looking at the “birds-eye” view of this passage:
-Daniel purposed in his heart not to eat the king’s food that was previously sacrificed to Babylon gods.
-After this, God grants Daniel knowledge, intelligence, and understanding of visions and dreams.
-Then, Daniel saves the lives of all the wise men in Babylon that the king ordered to be destroyed, by stepping forward.
-Daniel went to his friends and requested prayer over the situation.
NEXT….comes Chapter 2, verse 19:

“Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”

Notice with me what Daniel does IMMEDIATELY after being granted the dream and interpretation—He blessed God in a prayer of thanksgiving. Through this tough situation, God received all the glory.

I feel as if I’m currently in a refining fire. I’m trusting that the storm raging around me can be used by God to refine me, strengthening my faith in Him. Because, perhaps, He’s preparing me for a Verse-16-kind-of-faith.

Lord Jesus, please purpose in my heart what you desire for me, as you purposed in Daniel’s heart what he needed to do. Please help me to be sensitive to your Spirit moving and working, discerning what it is You have for me. Please supply me with faith such as Daniel’s. Thank you for surrounding me with friends, like Daniel’s, who help me pray, requesting compassion from You, the God of heaven. Thank you, most of all, for the hope that is heaven and that this life here on Earth is so short in light of eternity. Thank you that you equip us with what is needed throughout the tough times of this life. You are the Giver and the Sustainer. Please sustain me today. Amen.