Reflections

  “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
²¹ “It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
²² “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.
²³ “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2: 20-23

When King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem he took some of the sons of Israel and brought them to the king’s court.  Daniel was one of the young men brought to King Nebuchadnezzar.  Daniel found favor with his overseer and God gave Daniel intelligence and knowledge in every branch of literature and wisdom (Daniel 1: 17). 

One day King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and asked the magicians, sorcerers, conjurers and the Chaldeans to interpret his dream.  Because they could not interpret the king’s dream he ordered all wise men to be killed including Daniel.  When Daniel heard the news he asked if he could have a chance to interpret the king’s dream.  Before going to the king Daniel prayed to God and asked for wisdom and the interpretation.  God gave Daniel the interpretation which Daniel then gave to King Nebuchadnezzar. 

King Nebuchadnezzar was so pleased that he gave homage to Daniel; gave him gifts; made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and the chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon (Daniel 2: 48)

We need more people like Daniel.  Daniel did not allow his circumstance as the king’s servant to stop him from serving and relying on God for everything.  Daniel could have accepted the king’s decree that all wise men to be killed but he took a stand and inquired of the Lord.  God gave Daniel the answer and Daniel was able to interpret the king’s dream and found favor with the king. 

King Nebuchadnezzar was an evil king.  Daniel never complained about the king or his circumstance.  Instead Daniel served God and the king.  Later when Daniel interprets the king’s dream of God’s judgment Daniel wishes that the dream was for one of his enemies and not him.  We see how Daniel’s heart is toward the king and not toward his destruction.  Even after King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign Daniel continued to serve under other kings and found favor in their sight.

As Christians we seem to enjoy sitting back and criticizing our leaders.  We sit in judgment and complain about their policies and governing tactics.  We are told to pray for kings and leaders.  We are to stand in the gap.  Though we may not agree with their policies are how they govern; we should seek to bring the kingdoms of the world under God.  We can do this by asking God for wisdom in the problems our society faces.  We should be active participants like Daniel.  We should not idly sit by why a leader makes decrees that would destroy us.

Daniel prayed and asked God for wisdom.  Daniel found favor before the king and in the end because of Daniel’s love and compassion for King Nebuchadnezzar, he acknowledged God.

We can greatly impact our government but we can’t do it by just sitting back and complaining about what is going on.  God has the answers all we have to do is ask and then present these to our leaders.  If we are not in a position of influence we should pray for those that are.  We may not like who is in charge but we have a responsibility to pray for them; to support them and serve them.  Through us God will bring the kingdoms of this world into His Kingdom.