Accomplishing the Impossible
Daniel 2:1-49
Often life assigns us impossible tasks. For some, overcoming an addiction is that impossible task. For others, the impossible task might be dealing with a rebellious child. For still others, the impossible task might be an unexpected change in career or life direction. No matter who you are, at some point life will put an impossible task in front of you. At that point, you need to decide if you will retreat from the impossible task or seek to face that impossible task head on.
In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar places an impossible task before the wise men of his court. That impossible task is to interpret a dream, but before they interpret the dream, they must first tell the king the dream in all its detail. Interpreting the dream would have been an expected task for the court diviners and wise men. Babylonian religion encouraged the looking at dreams and other mysterious signs in order to know and understand the future. So all wise men in the court would be well schooled in the interpreting of dreams and wonders.[1] But the interpreters had an expectation and understanding with those who brought dreams to them: the king or other individual would inform them of the contents of the dream. So, Nebuchadnezzar breaks protocol, declaring that the wise men must relay the dream and then interpret it. As expected, most of the wise men gawk at this, stating, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks.” They continue their disbelief, “No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” At this point, the wise men expect their death at the hands of the king.
But one wise man shows a different type of wisdom, a wisdom that does not come from the gods, but from the only true God, the God who pursues relationship with all people. Through this scene and Daniel’s application of the gift of wisdom, God displays a power unmatched by the false gods of Babylon.
Daniel displays this wisdom from God through four actions. As Arioch, the king’s servant comes for Daniel and his companions so they can face the punishment, Daniel asks for more time in interpreting the dream. Then, he urges his companions to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery. Daniel and his friends pray to God. Prayer should be our first approach when facing the difficult tasks of life. We need to hand the mystery over to God, trusting in God’s plan and direction for our lives. God longs to be involved in our lives so God has gifted us with prayer, a way to approach Him and hand over the impossible task.
Upon receiving a vision from God in which the mystery of the dream is revealed, Daniel immediately praises God. Daniel gives God the credit, declaring that all wisdom and power come from God. He worships God, thanking God for providing the answers to the mystery. The second thing we must do when facing an impossible task is worship God. In the midst of the impossible, as we receive strength, power, and wisdom we must offer thanksgiving to God. Only God blesses us in the midst of the impossible with His strength and wisdom.
Daniel then goes before the king in order to reveal the dream and the interpretation as God has given it. But before he does that, Daniel publicly witnesses to God’s revelation. No wise man has given Daniel the dream and its interpretation. The knowledge comes from God. This public declaration witnesses to the truth of God as Lord over all things, including the king, the nobles, and the exiles. As we overcome the impossible through the grace of God, we too need to witness to our Lord. We must declare aloud that God delivers us, that God grants wisdom, and that God has power over those things that threaten us!
Finally, Daniel uses that which God grants. Daniel does not just sit with this gift of revelation, but shares the knowledge gleaned with the king. This act brings about deliverance from death for Daniel, his companions, and the other wise men in the court. This act also reveals God’s plan for life for all people. When we use the gifts and wisdom that God grants, those gifts will bring blessing into our lives and other’s lives. This can include all people of all nations and every walk of life!
As we face the many trials, traps, and obstacles of life, we can depend on God. Through God’s grace, providence and wisdom we can, like Daniel, overcome! The victory may not always take the form we desire, but God will grant victory. We need to seek God in prayer, urging others to pray alongside us as we face the obstacles. We need to testify to God’s power and wisdom through worship and public witness. We also need to take what God grants, using these gifts to bring blessing into other’s lives.
Prayer: All Powerful God, in your love you come and dwell with your people! We thank you for being present! As we face the many trials of life we ask that you would empower us with your wisdom. Guide us in our prayers. Raise us up to witness to the work you do in our lives. Help us to use the gifts you have granted and the wisdom you have granted so that others might know the fullness of your blessings! In Christ’s Holy name, Amen!
[1]
Tremper Longman III., The NIV Application Commentary: Daniel. (Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 77.
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