Daniel 2:25-28 – “So Arioch quickly ushered Daniel into the king’s presence, saying to him, “I have found a man from the captives of Judah who can make known the interpretation to the king.” ²⁶ The king then asked Daniel (whose name was also Belteshazzar), “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I saw, as well as its interpretation?” ²⁷ Daniel replied to the king, “The mystery that the king is asking about is such that no wise men, astrologers, magicians, or diviners can possibly disclose it to the king.  ²⁸ However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the times to come.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the events of the first chapters of Daniel caught my attention in a new way.  God’s incredible patience is stunning and not fully appreciated.

Daniel manifested who he was and determined to be faithful to his faith and his God.   That is step one in victory.  If we are not willing to die for our faith, it will be shaken at some point.   (Hananiah, Michael, Azariah).

In Daniel 2, the king has a dream and issues an unreasonable demand.  It was humanly impossible to fulfill.  (Dan 2:1-9).  That was by design; God was opening the door for Daniel to manifest Him.

The king asked Daniel, “Can you interpret?” Daniel’s answer was, “There is a God in heaven who…”   That’s it – God is!  That was Daniel’s rock, God is.  That’s our rock; God is.  If God is, we are!

God gave the king three chances (warnings).  He was unchanged, although momentarily moved.  He reverted to pride and forgot the miracle and revelation.  How many are moved by the moment but not transformed?

Daniel 4:28 has an interesting declaration.  “All this reached Nebuchadnezzar, the king.” All the revelations, miracles, warnings, and manifestations moved him momentarily, but didn’t stick.  Only after the season of judgment did he truly repent.  The long suffering of God is incredible, not inexhaustible.

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus gives the timeless, limitless invitation that echoes John 3:16.  The transformed heart opens the door to everything.

Revelation 5:10 gripped my heart.   Those who receive Jesus, the blood-bought Jesus, has made (now the tense) a kingdom and priests.  Not a kingdom of priests but a kingdom and priests.  A culture and a function.  AND they will reign upon the earth.  Not in heaven!  Not someday in the sky, but on the earth.  Kingdoms have kings, and kings have delegated representatives and magistrates.  We have authority by virtue of blood.  It’s time to exercise it.

LORD, help us always to be conscious of the reality that There Is a God in Heaven Who Can!