Ready to thank God again? Here is the next in our Advent series on “Thanking Jesus.”
When Daniel was a young man, he lived through some horrific events. His parents were likely killed when King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem. Daniel watched his nation go into captivity. He saw the City of David destroyed, including the great Temple built by Solomon. And he himself was forced to move to Babylon, learn a new language, and serve a foreign king. On the index of stress caused by change, Daniel is off the charts.
If all this were not enough trauma for a lifetime, while Daniel is just getting settled in Babylon, soldiers from Nebuchadnezzar come one night and pound on Daniel’s door with a death warrant in their hands.
The king has had a frightening nightmare. He demands that someone not merely interpret a dream but also describe the contents of that dream. All the wise men protest that first the king should reveal the basics of the dream. No, the king demands, they must first reveal the dream and then its interpretation. Daniel, unshaken by this impossible request, prays for wisdom. And God answers. In Daniel 2:20-24, the prophet writes, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for He alone has all the wisdom and power . . . He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though He Himself is surrounded by light. I thank and praise you, God, , , , for you have given me wisdom and strength.”
You and I will hopefully never face the degree of trauma that Daniel experienced, but each of us needs God’s wisdom. When we pray for understanding and God answers, don’t forget to give thanks.
