Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Daniel 2:24-49

"Daniel replied, 'There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.'" v.27-28

The king said to Daniel, 'Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.'
Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court." v.47-49


Nebuchadnezzar honored Daniel and Daniel's God. If Daniel had taken the credit himself, the king would have only honored Daniel. Because Daniel gave God the credit, the king honored both of them. Part of our mission in this world is to show unbelievers what God is like. We can do that by acts of love and compassion; and if we give God credit for our actions, they will want to know more about him. Give thanks to God for what he is doing in and through you.

But also notice that after Daniel was named ruler over the whole province of Babylon and placed in charge of the wise men, Daniel requested that his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, be appointed as his assistants. Daniel knew that he could not handle such an enormous responsibility without capable assistants, so he chose the best men he knew - his three Hebrew friends. A competent leader never does all the work alone; he or she knows how to delegate and supervise.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

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