“One night during the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had such DISTURBING DREAMS THAT HE COULDN’T SLEEP. He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that THEY TELL HIM WHAT HE HAD DREAMED. As they stood before the king, he said, “I have had a dream that deeply troubles me, and I must know what it means.” Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “Long live the king! TELL US THE DREAM, and WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS.” But the king said to the astrologers, “I am serious about this. If you don’t tell me WHAT MY DREAM WAS AND WHAT IT MEANS, you will be TORN limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into HEAPS OF RUBBLE!” (Daniel 2:1-5)
Nebuchadnezzar was a very cruel king and indeed intended TO KILL ALL THE WISE MEN in his kingdom! “The astrologers replied to the king, “No one on earth can tell the king his dream…The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that ALL THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON BE EXECUTED. And because of the king’s decree, men were sent TO FIND AND KILL DANIEL and his friends.” (Daniel 2:10-13)
When Arioch, the commander, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation WITH WISDOM AND DISCRETION. He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. Daniel went at once to see the king and REQUESTED MORE TIME to tell the king what the dream meant.” (Daniel 2:14-16) He asked the king for just ONE MORE DAY!
Daniel urged this friends to ask God to SHOW HIS MERCY, “…by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. That night THE SECRET WAS REVEALED TO DANIEL in a vision. Then Daniel PRAISED THE GOD OF HEAVEN.” (Daniel 2:17-19) God is always faithful TO HELP US in our times of trouble!!!
“The king said to Daniel, “Is this true? Can you TELL ME WHAT MY DREAM WAS and what it means?” Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO REVEALS SECRETS, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I WILL TELL YOU YOUR DREAM and THE VISIONS YOU SAW as you lay on your bed.” (Daniel 2:26-28) Daniel told him the dream and explained what it meant and, “Then King Nebuchadnezzar (the cruel and merciless king) THREW HIMSELF DOWN BEFORE DANIEL and worshiped him, and he commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn sweet incense before him. The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the GREATEST OF GODS, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.” (Daniel 2:46-47) This is the same God we serve, and Paul says, “…this same God who takes care of me WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS from HIS glorious riches, which have been GIVEN TO US in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham