SATURDAY, APRIL 14
Daniel 2:46-49
Psalm 40:1-3

“… he inclined unto me,
and heard my cry.”

GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO TRUST HIM

Nebuchadnezzar was so overwhelmed by Daniel’s supernatural knowledge that he fell down to worship him. This was an acknowledgement that God had truly spoken through him. It is evident that Daniel did not consider this royal homage to be idolatrous (contrast Acts 10:26), because the king immediately declared that “your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret” (Dan 2:47). Daniel had previously explained to the king the vitally important fact that “there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets” (Dan 2:28), so this had doubtless prepared him for this act of worship.

The supernatural wisdom which God had given to Daniel in his academic tests (Dan 1:20) was now again vindicated by his promotion to serve as “ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).

According to the first chapter of James, there are several purposes in our times of testing. One of these is that we might trust our God for wisdom (James 1:5). We are promised a generous supply of wisdom if we ask Him in trusting faith. James 3:17 tells us how comprehensive and perfect such God-given wisdom will be.

It would indeed have been tragic if Daniel had compromised his spiritual convictions when he first arrived at the royal court. Since he stood firm, he came into a place of great honour and power in all of Babylonia, a place in which he could play a vital role in the history of his generation. His humble trust in God opened doors of wisdom to him that could not be shut, and brought divine truths that shall never pass away (cf. Matt 5:18). “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament …” (Dan 12:3).

THOUGHT: The wisdom of God may seem utterly foolish to sinful men, but in God’s perfect timing, it will be fully vindicated.
PRAYER: Help me to understand, my Lord, that in Thee alone are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.