By Rev Kenneth Mtata
7 January 2022
Texts of the day: Psalm 72; Daniel 2:1-19; Ephesians 4:17-5:1
Verse of the day: "In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed such dreams that his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him...Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven" (Daniel 2:1, 19).
One of the greatest gifts of receiving the light of God is the ability to SEE what happens in history, UNDERSTAND what it really means, and the wisdom to ACT that advance God's salvation agenda.
Some 500 years or so before the birth of Jesus, a King of Babylon (modern day Iraq) by the name of Nebuchadnezzar, had a dream that had robbed him of sleep. He asked his wise men to tell him both the dream and its meaning, but they failed and he was going to kill them for this. Among the people who were to be killed was Daniel and his friends.
Daniel was a Jewish young man who had the light of God and had deep insight. Therefore he could say what the dream was, and what it meant. Daniel and other Jews lived in Babylon because they had been taken as slaves when King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 526 BC and led away many Hebrews into captivity in Babylon.
How do we, like Daniel grow this ability to know what is happening around us, as well as understanding what they mean so that we can influence them towards God's saving purposes? We can learn from Daniel who did three key things.
First, Daniel "responded with prudence and discretion" by asking the important question, "why is the decree of the king so urgent?"
(Daniel 2:15). We grow deep insight and understanding even in non spiritual matters when we always learn to ask, "WHY". Things are not always what they appear to be at face value. People of God will grow in their ability to discern when they ask questions.
Second, Daniel "went in and requested that the king give him TIME and he would tell the king the interpretation"
(Daniel 2:16). God's people will grow in their discernment and wisdom if the learn not to rush. There are indeed moments when people must make quick decisions. But in key matters, one must take time to hear what God is saying.
Third, Daniel sought collective wisdom in the context of prayer: "Daniel went to his home and informed his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions with the rest of the wise men of Babylon might not perish"
(Daniel 2:17-18).
God's people must work in fellowship and so they must learn to dialogue, debate inquire issues together with others, until the best wisdom emerges. Collective prayer or prayer with others, is valuable because God is a relational God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That is why God says "where two or three are gathered, I am in their midst".
God's people are meant to change the course of human history because they are agents of God in the world. They have light that shines in and through them that helps them to SEE what others may not see and UNDERSTAND the significance of what others may take for granted. But if God has been gracious to open our eyes and understand, we must act in ways that save life.
Prayer
God of all light and knowledge, help us to "see" what is happening, to understand what it means and the courage to act in line with your salvation plan.
AMEN!
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