Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego lived in Babylon during the captivity of the Jews by King Nebuchadnezzar. In the second year of his reign, the King had terrifying dreams and suffered from insomnia. He summoned the magicians, sorcerers and enchanters and demanded that they not only tell him what he had dreamt, but also the interpretation. The magicians were bewildered and told the King that what he was asking them to do was impossible. They requested of the King to tell them his dream so that they could give the interpretation (Daniel 2:1-7).

The King was adamant that he would not share his dream. He had a reward for anyone who could reveal his dream and the interpretation. If none of the magicians or wise men could do what he had asked, the decree was that they would all be killed. This included Daniel and his friends who ranked as wise men within the kingdom. Daniel asked what had caused the King such fury. When he learnt of the King’s request, he asked the King for time to give him an answer about his dream and the interpretation (Daniel 2:8-16).

Daniel and his friends prayed to God for mercy and prayed for revelation of the mystery concerning the King’s dream. “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven” (Daniel 2:19). Daniel sought an audience with the King and shared the dream and the interpretation. The result was that Daniel was promoted and he also requested the promotion of his friends.

Daniel used the experience to witness to the King about who God is. Daniel told the King that the wise men, astrologers and sorcerers could not reveal the King’s dream. Daniel explained to the King that it was his God in heaven who revealed mysteries.

“he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him” (Daniel 2:22).

A.P.-Y.

We belong to God as he has adopted us into his family and we are is precious children. God protects his children and defends those who call on his name. God will not stand by and allow the persecution of his people. If God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?

There are seasons of testing, trial and persecution as we share in the inheritance of God. “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans‬ ‭8:17‬). Our suffering is for righteousness sake and God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability. God does not cause temptation or test but he causes anything that the enemy brings against us to work out for our good.

There are seasons when we feel despondent, but Jesus told his disciples that the gates of hell cannot prevail against his church (Matthew 16:18). We represent the church and we acknowledge that the enemy will try to target us. The promise is that the weapons will be formed but they will not prosper against us (Isaiah 54:17).

Remember the next time that someone comes up against you, that they are coming against God. God is mighty to save, protect and defend those who are his children. When God provides you with a job, anyone who threatens that job, threatens what God has established. God will not allow anyone to interfere with the marriage that he has joint together. Our bodies are his temple and he has promised not to put any of the diseases of the enemy upon those who serve him. When God is fighting for you, then no one will come against you and prevail.

“What do you plot against the Lord? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time” (Nahum‬ ‭1:9‬).

A.P.-Y.

In Genesis 15, Abram spoke with God concerning his covenant to bless him. Abram’s question to God was; how would this happen since you have not blessed me with a child? God then instructed Abram to look into the sky and see if it was possible for him to count the stars. God knew that there were too many stars for Abram to number. So the promise revealed that Abram’s offspring would be as many as the stars. Abram’s response was simple; he believed (Genesis 15:1-6).

Abram did not argue with God and he did not ask God for specifics or additional details. Abram simply believed with childlike faith, that what God had said was true. This was based on the relationship which Abram cultivated with God. One where he knew the voice of God and had confidence that what he said would come to pass.

Sometimes I ask God for more details and I sometimes ask him to show me when and where. God does not always answer and he does not always provide the reassurance that I need. There are days when the only response that I get is to wait or to be still. Those are the times when God is asking me to trust him even without the detail. I have to trust his character even when I can’t see the full picture.

When we are babes in Christ, God will provide the constant reassurance that we need. As we mature in him, he expects us to demonstrate the maturity which requires us to trust without knowing all of the details. In Hebrews 5, Paul warned against apostasy, which is losing our faith. Paul considered some saints “dull of hearing,” who should be mature enough to teach the word. Instead they were still dependent on others to teach them basic biblical principles. “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Let us remain in faith and ask God to increase our faith. Paul said that faith grows from hearing the word of God. Your faith will not grow without the word of God, a relationship and fellowship with God and other believers. When we assemble together, one person encourages and sharpens the other person’s faith. It is sometimes helpful to write down the things that you believe that God has promised to you. We also have to wait with patient endurance and trust God, even when things are delayed. Like a muscle, we also have to exercise our faith in order for it to grow and increase. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬).

A.P.-Y.