PRAISING GOD FOR WISDOM

Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

“Praise be to the name of God forever 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, 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 2:19 - 23

Daniel had been taken as a prisoner of war from Judah to Babylon, where he and three other young men were chosen to be advisors to King Nebuchadnezzar. One night, the king had a disturbing dream. He was tired of listening to lies from his magicians, enchanters, and astrologers, so he demanded that they tell him first what he dreamed before they interpreted the dream. If they couldn’t, he would condemn them all to death—including Daniel and his friends.

Daniel responded to this challenge by consulting God in prayer. He urged his friends to do likewise. They couldn’t know the thoughts of the king, but the all-knowing God could. The Lord answered their prayers. In a vision, the dream and its meaning were revealed to Daniel. He broke forth into praise, thanking God for giving him this knowledge and the wisdom to interpret the dream.

The God who answered Daniel’s prayer is also listening to you.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, you alone possess all wisdom and power …