Daniel 2:27-28 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.

One of Daniel’s great distinctives was that he always gave God the glory. He didn’t try to gain any credit for himself, nor did he get all mealy-mouthed before a man who had authority and power to kill him in countless ways. It says in verse 14 that he spoke to an official with wisdom and tact. He exercised the same wisdom and tact to speak to the ultimate king over that official, but that did not mean he failed to speak clearly and to the point. His focus wasn’t on saving himself, it was on God and being His instrument. Daniel is a superb example for believers today in virtually every area of his life. His intellect was second to none, even Solomon, but unlike Solomon, he didn’t trust in his intellect or other gifts, but in the God who had provided them. As in the later story of the lions’ den, (Daniel 6) he placed obedience and devotion to God above and ahead of his own life. He realized the truth that Nate Saint put into words in the middle of the 20th Century: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” If more believers lived like Daniel and Nate Saint, the world would be a different place indeed.

I know this truth well, but I have to ask myself how well I live by it. If I am not modeling this sort of lifestyle, I won’t be effective in leading others to adopt it either. Priorities are always an issue, as is believing that God provides the abilities and other resources for everything He asks us to do. I’ve certainly experienced the second half of that, but I don’t always act like I believe it. If this church will get these two issues straight consistently, there is no limit to what God will do in and through us. I cannot force or even convince anyone on either of these issues in my own strength and wisdom, but the same God who revealed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel is my God, and His Spirit dwells in me, so I am to trust Him and keep myself available to Him for however He wants to use me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You are doing in this church, and all You will do in the future. Help me keep my eyes on You and not be distracted or worn down by the issues that confront me constantly. May I say with assurance , “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) Thank You. Praise God!