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Daniel was Humble
Daniel always gave God the credit because he knew giving God the glory was more important than receiving his own. This is true humility; recognizing God’s power above our own.
Daniel chapter two – King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
During the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was facing his possible death once again. The King had a dream that troubled him greatly. So much so that he couldn’t sleep. So he needed an interpretation but no wise man that he summoned (aka: magician, enchanter, sorcerer and astrologer) could give it to him. Instead they said, “what the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans” (Daniel 2:11). This response made the King so furious that he ordered a new decree that all wise men be put to death – this included Daniel and his friends (Daniel 2:12-13).
Once Daniel heard about the new decree he asked the King for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him (Daniel 2:16). Daniel at the time had no clue what the interpretation was, but he knew God did. So he urged his friends to pray with him. Through their unity as believers they humbled their hearts to God and pleaded for His mercy (Daniel 2:18). And God answered…
God answers their prayer.
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.
Daniel 2:19-23
Humility recognizes that when we are weak GOD, the HERO of HEROES, is strong!
Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” We need to focus on God’s strength working in us and humbly approach Him in midst of our own trials like Daniel.
After Daniel received the interpretation from the Lord he praised Him for it. Then he approached the man in charge of the execution and essentially says, “STOP, I CAN INTERPRET THE KING’S DREAM!” (I imagine him yelling this as it was probably an intense moment). Then Daniel sees the King…
The King asked Daniel, “are you able to interpret this dream for me?” Daniel replied, “no wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” ..
Daniel 2:27-28
In verse 28, Daniel could have taken the credit to impress the King by saying, “yes that is I – the master of dreams and interpretations”. But no, he gives God, the hero of heroes, all the credit! Then proceeds to explain to the King his dream and what it meant. The King replies and recognizes it is God who works through Daniel… He said:
“Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon…
Daniel 2:47-49
Humility and favour
Daniel’s motive to serve the King was humble and pure and he always trusted in Gods plan above his own. I believe if we work on humility the favour in our lives will follow. But be careful not to hope in the favour… because timing is still the Lords. He will lift you up in due time (1 Peter 5:6, Matthew 23:12, James 4:10). Trust in Him. Daniel received gifts, high positions, favour upon favour with different kings yet constantly faced persecution and possible death at every corner.
Every hero has their villian.
Through Daniel’s story it encourages us to give God the glory in all things. Our villian, the devil, wants to manipulate us to believe we are the heroes of our own story. But resisting the devil means working on our own humility and focusing on Jesus; the TRUE HERO of our story.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11
The battle has already been won!
The best favour we will receive in this life is our eternal communion and relationship with Jesus (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8). Even though every hero has a villian the eternal battle has already been won. The ultimate act of power has already been proven through the humble sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-8). In this alone we can trust that God has what is best for us today, tomorrow and forever!
