A man’s gift makes room for him

Posted on January 16, 2012 by valerie

There is a lot of unrest and rioting in the world today, and many are suffering from
unjust leaders in their government.

In studying the Bible we learn many valuable tips on how to cope with the stress and
challenges in life this may bring, and how God can use everything and help it to work
out for good to those who love him.

Today’s lesson is from Daniel 2

Daniel and his 3 friends were abducted during a time of unrest and war, in their early teens.
Being separated from their families and forced to live in a new culture must have been
frightening and often depressing.

For 3 years they were trained in a new language and pagan religious customs.

God gave them favor and superior wisdom, so they would stand out and be counted
as wise men in the eyes of King Nebuchadnezzar.

Each person on earth has a divine destiny to be a world changer, and tell others about
the one true God.

King Nebuchadnezzar worshipped pagan gods and was a man filled with pride.

God divinely had Daniel and his 3 friends placed in the king’s palace “undercover”
so to speak, so he could open doors for them to share their faith with the
ruler of a corrupt and evil government.

They didn’t picket, protest, or speak ill of those who held them captive, but rather
submitted to God’s perfect will and timing for their lives.

In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, God caused him to have a restless
night with fearful dreams that were confusing and troubling to his spirit.

The king called for his magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers to show him his
dreams and the meaning of them.

The men replied…King tell us your dreams and we will interpret them.

The king wanted to test their wisdom and replied…No, you tell me
what I dreamed and the meaning…or I’ll cut you and your houses
into pieces.

The wise men were deeply afraid and said…There is not a man on
earth that can show the king this, and no ruler has ever asked
such a thing. No one can tell the king his dreams except the gods.

Nebuchadnezzar became enraged and ordered all the wise men
of Babylon to be executed, which would include Daniel and
his 3 friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

When Arioch the captain of the king’s guard came to kill Daniel
and his friends, Daniel knew he needed a quick plan of action.

He said, why has the king been so hasty in his decree?

Daniel asked to be taken to the king, and requested the opportunity to
interpret the dream.

This bought him a little time, and he quickly went to the house of his
3 friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for a prayer meeting
with Almighty God for mercy concerning the secret dreams and
favor for the wise men of Babylon.

That night, the secret dream of the king was revealed to Daniel.
When he woke up he blessed God and prayed…

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his.
He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings;
he giveth wisdom unto the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding:
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness,
and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers,
who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made know unto me now, what we
desired of thee: for thou hast now made know unto us the king’s matter. Daniel 2:20-23

Daniel went in to Arioch the king’s hit man and said…
Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon, bring me before the
king and I will interpret the dream.

Arioch brought Daniel in to the king and he asked…
Are you able to make known to me the dream and the interpretation?

Daniel replied, there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets, and has made
know to Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future.

This secret was not revealed to me because I have any more wisdom
than others, but for their sakes I will make known to you the thoughts
in your heart.

O king, you saw a great image, whose brightness was excellent
and the form was terrible.

Daniel went on to describe an image of gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay
to the king and it’s meaning, in great detail.

You are a king and God has given you a kingdom, power, strength,
and glory. You are the head of gold, and after you shall arise
3 kingdoms which will be inferior to you, and bear rule over
all the earth.

In the days of these kings, God in heaven will set up a kingdom that
will never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people,
but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall
stand for ever.

The Great God has made known to the king what will come to pass.
The dream is certain, and interpretation is sure!

When the king heard both the secret dream and it’s interpretation…
he fell upon his face and worshipped Daniel. He commanded that
they should offer sacrifices to him and made confession saying…

Daniel, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings,
and a revealer of secrets, seeing you could reveal this dream and it’s secret.

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made
him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and the chief of the governors over
all the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel requested that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be set over the affairs
of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Proverbs 18:16 says…
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Daniel was given the gift of wisdom and interpreting dreams, because
he prayed and asked favor from God.

When God answered his prayer, he acknowledged the gift was from God
and that in himself he could do nothing.

Daniel and his friends faced their fears with faith, that God could
and would, answer their prayers and deliver them.

2 Timothy 1:7 says…
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind.

Daniel’s used his gift to save, not only himself, but the wise men of Babylon and his friends.
His gift and the favor of God opened doors for him to witness to an ungodly king and
show the amazing power of his God.

Daniel was elevated to a place of honor and he became a trusted leader in the king’s
service. Daniel remembered his prayer partners and friends, and saw to it that they
too were given jobs in leadership.

A godly man and leader knows and acknowledges God as his Creator, Counselor,
and Friend. He respects authority placed over him, and doesn’t get haughty
or puffed up with pride, when God opens doors of favor and blessings.

He gives God all the praise and glory for his accomplishments, prosperity, and
wisdom. He remembers his friends and cares for the needs of others.

Daniel realized his purpose in life, and his times of testing were divinely
orchestrated by Almighty God. His mission was to help Nebuchadnezzar
and the people of Babylon learn about the one true God, the Creator
of heaven and earth.

Perhaps today you are in a season of testing and trials. You may be under
the rule of wicked leaders, or undergoing a time of adversity and fear.

Beloved, God sent me to tell you how loved and cherished you are to him.

He sent his Son Jesus into the world to be your Saviour, Deliverer, and Healer.
He died on the cross for your sins, and will enable and empower you to become
the godly man or woman he created you to be.

The same God who helped Daniel and his friends, can help you, if you
call out to him in prayer.

He can give you gifts and talents that will bring you before great men
and can show you how to be a world changer for your generation.

Jeremiah 29:11 says…
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace,
and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Lay your fears and depression at the foot of the cross, and invite Jesus to be your
LORD and Saviour. All who call upon the name of the LORD, will be saved!

Ask the LORD for wisdom and to reveal to you the secret messages of hope
and encouragement from his word. Wait expectantly for his help, peace,
hope, and an amazing future in his service.

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives,
and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. Jeremiah 29:7

A Prayer for Peace…

Our eyes are overwhelmed, O LORD
from the destruction that we see.
War is raging…fear and panic…
brother’s fighting like enemies.

Buildings lie in ashes
Our streets are stained with blood.
We lift our hands to You, O LORD
for comfort and your love.

We run to You for shelter
from the anguish in our hearts.
Revive us and restore us…
May all our fears depart.

Father, please forgive our sins
help us to obey
Guide us and instruct us…
in all we say and do.

One world, under God we’ll stand
For we lift our praise to You.
Tread down, O LORD our enemies…
In Your righteousness and truth.

Pour Your Spirit on us LORD,
For only Your love can…
Unite our hearts and minds to build,
new and peaceful lands.

IN GOD WE TRUST!

The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
Psalm 33:12

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,

and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways:

then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins,

and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14

You are important to Jesus and me…

Your sister and servant of the LORD Jesus,
Valerie Rousseau