This morning during prayer time the Lord led me to Daniel 2. I was so excited to see what the Lord would reveal because, as many of you know I and many others are embarking on a Daniel Fast! So as I began to read the chapter many revelations began to surface and my mind went back into time. What must it have been like for Daniel and the Hebrew boys to serve such a difficult man as King Nebuchadnezzar. The chapter begins with Nebuchadnezzar sharing a vision a dream that kept him so troubled he could not sleep. He ordered all the kings wise men, sorcerers, fortune tellers, and astrologers to come before him. He announced to them he had a dream and that it deeply troubled him and wanted answers. The kings astrologers then asked if he would tell them the dream but, king Nebuchadnezzar firmly told them he had decided not to share a word of the dream. It was up to them to figure out what he dreamed and the interpretation or, else they would be torn limb by limb and houses torn down. What a predicament! These men were so taken back by the decree that they replied “who can do such a thing?” They went on to declare only a god or goddess could answer such a request not mere men. Notice their trust was in the false gods and practices of magic and sorcery. The decree went out to all the wise men of Babylon. This decree made its way to Daniel and the first thing he did was to go seek Hannianah, Mishael, and Azariah. He explained the matter and urged them to pray for mercy from the Most High concerning this mystery. That night Daniel had a dream explaining all of the details and with descriptions that only God could reveal. You see God was making room for Daniels gifts and talents. Daniel had the gift of visions and dream interpretations. So when God revealed to Daniel all that the dream meant the first thing Daniel did was to give God praise and thanksgiving! It wasn’t to run to King Nebuchadnezzar and say look what I have achieved or look what I can do but Daniels heart was postured to give God the glory first and foremost! I just love this because it showed humility and godly character! He would then go before the King and share the dream and interposition. This would blow King Nebuchadnezzar away due to such accuracy and excellence. Daniel was able to do what even only the kings astrologers said a god or goddess could do. So imagine their shock and awe when Daniel a mere man but empowered by the Most High was able to do what everyone else deemed impossible. You see when God wants to promote you it often comes disguised as a problem. God is able to create a problem that only you can solve. Why? because the unique gift He placed inside of you will make room for you and bring you before great people. Why? To declare His glory! That He is the God of heaven and earth! This is exactly what Daniel did…. He honored the King of Glory by stepping before the king of Babylon and saying “As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else who lives, but so your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind” Daniel made clear it was the God in whom he served that made this possible! How many people would have gotten puffed up in pride and tried to take the glory? Not Daniel. He proved he could be trusted time and time again. So this story ends with the promotion of Daniel and more importantly the acknowledgment of the Most High God being praised by King Nebuchadnezzar as the one true Living God🙌🏽. That day their was a distinction made between the real and the fake. Who the real wise men were and who the false prophets were in Babylon. That day the sorcerers, astrologers, fortune tellers understand who was the True and Living God. Daniel would be placed in a high position and be lavished with many gifts. He was made ruler over the entire province of Babylon and made him in charge of all the wise men. Also, at Daniels request he got his boys a sweet part of the deal and put into notable positions in the kingdom! So many lessons are in this chapter but the one that stands out is that when you keep God first and acknowledge Him in all your ways, when you are a good steward of your gifts and talents, God will open up the door of opportunity by giving you a problem in which only you can solve! What a beautiful picture of Gods faithfulness and goodness. So next time you fine yourself in a problem see it as an opportunity! What gifts and talents are inside of you?