GROW - Daniel 2

G -  GO to God in private prayer

R - Read  Daniel 2

O - Observations

Typically when reading chapters such as Daniel 2 we are focused on the prophecy that is given.  Today though, my mind was still on Daniel and his three friends who would not defile themselves with the Royal food in chapter 1.  It is important to remember the they had been brought into the kings court to serve the king. Then in Daniel 1:17 we are told what kind of service they were in.

   Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

    In Daniel 1:20 we are told  he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Clearly the four of them were in the group that the king ordered to be executed in chapter 2.  But what does Daniel do when finds out the king has ordered them to be executed?  He asks for more time.  This is a bold move that the king surely did not have to honor that request.  But because the king held them in such high regard he did allow them more time.

In verse 18 Daniel directs them in what they should do and they immediately go to God in prayer. 

    Daniel 2:18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery,

In a quick read of the rest of the chapter it is easy to miss something else.  We often think of Daniel as the leader of the group and he is the one to go back to the king with the answer to the mystery.  But take note of the pronouns in these verses....

    Daniel 2:30  As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me,

    Daniel 2:36  This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king.  

Based on the pronouns of these verses God gave Daniel the answer to the first part of the king's request - to tell him exactly what the dream was.  Then God gave all of them the interpretation to be presented to the king.  It may have been Daniel speaking, but think about what was happening in the time between when Daniel urged them to plead for the answers until they presented the answers to the king.  The four of them would have prayed and talked to each other about what God was revealing to them as He was revealing it.

Then there is another element to this.  If they had not refused the royal food in chapter 1 would they have been in a place or an appropriate mindset to even be able to hear God speaking to them?  They were not taken up with the worldly temptations such as the royal food that would have defiled them.  Instead they were so focused on God that they were ready and prepared for when He spoke to them.

Write the lesson - turning away from the world and turning to God allows you to be more open to hearing Him when he speaks to you.  Surround yourself with other Godly people to remain focused on Him.  We should all have a core group of believers to walk through life with.

ps..I have no idea why there is white highlighting.  I tried to take it off and could not figure it out without making a bigger mess.  So I am ignoring it and going to clean my kitchen lol