S170P1 – Behind closed doors: Daniel

By C. C. | January 9, 2023

Dan. 2:19-20, 23

Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

It is amazing to me how much of God’s work happens when death is on the line. I guess this makes sense since we are talking about God showing up and showing off. It is one thing for the Lord to perform what we would consider a lesser miracle that does not include the implication of death. Not that any work of God’s is small, but this is often how we see it. In Daniel’s case and like that of so many others, this was a dire circumstance. He and some of his friends were about to be put to death if no one could interpret the king’s dream. Daniel decided to make an appointment to meet the king and do just that, but it would seem that he jumped the gun because he had not yet received the interpretation.

I will attribute Daniel’s strategy here to faith.  He did not need to know that God would give him this interpretation before asking to meet the king.  He simply had full faith that God would come through.  After taking that step in faith and meeting with his spiritual compatriots to seek God’s mercy on the matter, Daniel received this revelation.  His response was to be alone with the Lord and praise him.  Daniel and his companions took their petitions directly to God in a quiet place.  They did not need their request to be a known spectacle.  Daniel’s request of the Lord was made privately and quietly, and he praised God the same way once he received his answer.

When we see great people of God do amazing things, it is easy to focus on the miraculous act.  We might witness these events and wish that we could do the same thing.  What we might not think about what it takes outside the spotlight to see God work openly through us in this way.  Daniel had to have an intimate relationship with the Lord to take the step he took in faith, and that was the result of building that relationship in the quiet place.  He removed the distractions and got to know God, putting in the quiet and private work it required to do such great things openly before men.  Father, help us have the discipline to cultivate a relationship with You in a private place that allows us to see You publicly glorified through us.

Posted in Daily Devotions