Daniel’s praise song
Daniel 2: 20 – 23
A wonderful poem, song of praise. As it stands. But knowing the background makes it take on deeper meaning.
The background
Jerusalem had been besieged and the people carried off to Babylon. Daniel and others were taken to the court to be taught the literature etc of the country. Daniel demonstrated faithfulness sand faith in God when he refused to partake of the food and wine of the court. His faith was rewarded.
The king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. He was surrounded by yes men and sycophants, he had experience of dream interpretations which were not always true. He wanted to know the truth. So he asked the “wise men” to first tell him the dream. An impossibility. We all sometimes have dreams which we feel need interpreting but we have to tell the dream first. All including Daniel and others in his group were under threat of death if they could not first tell the dream.
Daniel was in a perilous situation, but he asked for time. With his colleagues he prayed for God to give him knowledge and wisdom. Which he received!!
Then comes this wonderful praise to God.
Things to note
– Daniel had already established his obedience to God.
– He continued to trust God in all things
– Even when facing the threat of death.
He received the wisdom he prayed for not to save his won life but so that he might glorify God.
What an enormous witness this was to the king when he heard Daniel tell him his dream and its meaning.
The king fell on his face and admitted that the God Daniel served was indeed the God of gods. 2:47
We need to establish faith and obedience to God in our lives when things are easy and going the way we hope they would go; then
When troubles, disappointments and persecution come our way we can continue to seek God’s will in all matters and his help.
Seek first the kingdom of God (before troubles come) and all these things will be added unto you. Matt 6: 31-33