Daniel 2: 1-30
In the second year of his reign, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which left his spirit no rest and robbed him of his sleep. So he ordered that the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers be summoned to interpret the dream for him.
So this king was troubled by a dream he had, but he didn't remember the dream. I've woken up from dreaming, knowing that I was dreaming, but didn't remember the dream, also. I think this is a common occurrance.
But he still wanted to know what it meant. In this society they put great importance on dreams and visions, and if it upset him that much, it must mean something important.
Tell us the dream, and we will give its meaning.
But he couldn't remember the dream. He figured that if they had the insight to interpret a dream, that they should also be able to figure out what the dream was.
You have conspired to present a false and deceitful interpretation to me until the crisis is past. Tell me the dream, therefore, that I may be sure that you can also give its correct interpretation.
What you demand, O King, is too difficult; there is no one who can tell it to the king except the gods, who do not dwell among people of flesh.
This is telling--they knew that only a supernatural being would be able to do what the king was asking.
And then Daniel approached the king, asking for time that he might give him the interpretation.
So he asked his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to pray for him, and God showed Daniel the dream that night.
Then he blessed the God of Heaven:
Blessed be the Name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power are His.
He causes the changes of the times and seasons, establishes kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who understand.
He reveals deep and hidden things and knows what is in the darkness, for light dwells with Him.
To You, God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, because You have given me wisdom and power.
Now You have shown me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the king's dream.
So he went back to the king, and told him that, all his wise men, enchanters, magicians, and diviners could not explain it to the king. But there is a God in Heaven Who reveals mysteries, and He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what is to happen in the last days. ...
He Who reveals mysteries showed you what is to be. To me also this mystery has been remealed; not that I am wiser than any other living person, but in order that its meaning may be made known to the king, that you may understand the thoughts of your own mind.
This is a Gentile king, in a land far away from Israel, beyond the great River Euphrates, in Babylon. And God had chosen to give this foreign ruler His plan for the rest of human history on this Earth!
But the king needed Daniel to explain it to him. And Daniel knew that he wasn't the wisest person living, but that God had chosen him to tell the king the whole story.
God often chooses very unlikely people to do significant things for Him. He never chooses "perfect" people, always people who are broken, or defective in some way. Like this king wasn't even an Israelite, and Daniel was a captive who was forced to learn a new language and a new culture.
God always takes us just as we are, because He sees what He will make us into. Like Gideon who was hiding, being called a "mighty hero" (Judges 6:11-12), and Saul of Tarsis (Acts 9:11) becoming Paul the Apostle and Evangelist.
So that means that He can use me, too. I'm nothing special, just someone who was looking for what was True so I could believe it and not be deceived.
And He can use you, too, if you are willing. That's all He asks. He does the rest.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
