Too Difficult for the Wisemen

The Lord used the story from Chapter 2 of Daniel to remind me about the power of prayer. Daniel was a Babylonian captive from Judah and a faithful servant of God. His knowledge and wisdom put him into the service of the Babylonian king.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. He summoned his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to tell him the meaning of the dream. However, the king would not be satisfied until someone from this group not only told him the meaning of the dream but also describe the dream.

These men were in a dilemma. They could make up a meaning for the dream after they knew the dream. However, they had no clue what the king had dreamed.

The King’s Decree

“Then the king answered, ‘I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided; if you do not tell me the dream, there is just one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.’”

“The astrologers answered the king, ‘There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the kings asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.’”

“This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So, the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.”

Daniel 2:8-13, NIV

After Daniel heard from the king’s guard what had happened, he went to the king and asked for time so that he might interpret the dream. Daniel urged his friends to pray to God and plead for His mercy. Each man’s life was at stake! These were not two-minute prayers with a quick amen! These men needed God’s intervention!

God Intervenes

During the night, God revealed the mystery in a vision to Daniel. His immediate response was praise to God.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.’”

Daniel 2:20-23, NIV

First, Daniel told Arioch not to execute the wise men, because he was on his way to the king to interpret the dream. Second, Daniel told the king that he was not able to tell the king about his dream through his own abilities. Daniel gave the credit to God.

Can you imagine the look of wonder on Nebuchadnezzar’s face as he listened to Daniel telling him his dream and interpreting it for him! Nebuchadnezzar’s response: “Surely your God is the God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery” (Daniel 2:47, NIV).

Daniel and his friends avoided death at the hands of the king. God honored their faithfulness to Him by revealing the mystery to Daniel.

Does prayer work?

Here are some verses to affirm the love of God for those who come to him in prayer.

Deuteronomy 4:7, NIV— “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?”

Ezra 8:23, NIV— “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayers.”

Psalm 6:9, NIV— “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.”

Mark 11:24— “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received, and it will be yours.”

1 Peter 3:12, NIV—“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer . . . .”

What a wonderful resource for every follower of Christ! Instead of worrying about our positions and our plans, we can pray and depend on God to direct us every day. These revelations do not come if we do not spend time in prayer and devotions. We must seek His will and listen for His voice.

Your greatest source of strength is through the power of prayer! Let Him unleash His strength upon you as you pray!

Beula Postlewait lives in Leawood, Kansas. She is a former public school teacher and a longtime children’s Sunday school teacher. She is a retired employee of Children’s Ministries at the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas. You may contact Beula at bpostlewait@kc.rr.com.