Scripture to Read: Daniel 2:24–30
After Daniel prayed, praising and thanking God for revealing the dream to him, we read in Daniel 2:24 how Daniel quickly shared with Arioch what God had shown him. But don’t miss what God shows us in Daniel 2:25 and Daniel 2:28. In verse 25, Arioch credited Daniel for interpreting the dream, but in verse 28, Daniel gives God all the credit, glory, and honor. As Christians, this is something we must guard against, for as our Lord uses us, people will want to give us credit, honor, and even glory for what we’ve done rather than give all the credit to God. Our fleshly nature wants the recognition, but God is our Creator and only He deserves the glory, honor, and praise. God loves us and desires to use us (Ephesians 2:10). God is not looking for people who think they have something to offer Him. God uses surrendered servants who desire to serve Him well. God will not share His glory with anyone, for He alone deserves all the glory. Also, Daniel knew that the Babylonians worshipped the heavens. The Babylonians sought to chart their lives through astrology (studying the stars). So, Daniel made sure to point out to Nebuchadnezzar that the God who made those stars the Babylonians worshipped was the God of heaven, and this same God was the One Who made the dream known to Daniel. Again, in Daniel 2:29–30, Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that God is the One Who reveals mysteries, and He was the One revealing to Nebuchadnezzar what would occur. Daniel stood firm in his faith.
Challenge & Application
• How can we guard against robbing God of the glory due to Him when people want to recognize us instead?
• How do we stand firm in our faith the way Daniel did, no matter who we stand before in this life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!