Monday, August 4, 2008

Revelation Knowledge

Have you ever been in a predicament that seemed life or death? That if you didn’t get an answer quick, it was over? Daniel faced this situation. King Nebuchadnezzar (King Neb) had a dream and he didn’t know what it meant. He wanted an interpretation. But he had a catch—he would not tell any of the wise men, astrologers, enchanters, or magicians the dream. Who can do that? No one.

Extremely angry that none of these men could tell him his dream and interpret it, King Neb decided to put all the wise men to death—all of them! Daniel and his friends were part of this group of wise men. When the commander came to Daniel, “Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.” (Dan 2:14)

Isn’t that cool that Daniel kept his cool? I think I’d be a bit terrified knowing I was about to be put to death. Not Daniel, he kept his cool and “spoke with wisdom and tact. “ Once he found out the situation, he went to the king to ask for more time so that he may interpret the dream for King Neb. After making this request, Daniel returns to his home. Did he throw a party? Did he tell his friends, “all right we have one night to live, so lets party it up?” No. “He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” (Dan 2:18) They spent the night in prayer!

Daniel 2:19-23 NIV

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.

21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.

22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.

23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
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."

The Lord revealed the dream to Daniel who went before the king. Before Daniel told King Neb the dream and the interpretation, he gave all glory to God. Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” (Dan 2:27-28) He accurately discloses the dream and gives the interpretation and saves the lives of the wise men—by God’s grace.

God reveals His mysteries to us. We can rationalize—well I’m not a Daniel. Who am I that God will reveal things to me? If we have Jesus Christ, then we’re a child of God. His disciple. He wants to show us the mysteries hidden in his word. His word is a deep treasure chest for us to discover something new each day that we spend with Him in it.

Beth Moore pointed out in the simulcast this past weekend. As we treasure His wonder, the gift of His Word, we’re privy to the secrets in His Word. Jesus spoke in parables to the disciples.

Luke 8:9-10 ESV
9And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'

It has been given to us!! We have revelation knowledge from God! If we don’t understand, we can ask Him what it means. We may have to spend a night in prayer to get our answers in urgent situations or we may have to wait a few days, weeks, months or even years for other answers. But He answers!

God chooses what He will reveal and what He won’t reveal to us. But there is so much He is ready to reveal if we seek HIM and ask HIM for HIS revelation knowledge. Ask!

James 1:5 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Engrafted by His Grace--

Note: To join in the chronological reading, please visit Bev on her blog. It's never too late to join in reading HIS word!!

10 gracious comments:

Angela Baylis said...

I can't wait for Him to reveal some of the mysteries and answers some questions I have! I, too would love to be more like Daniel... or be one of his friends!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

I am walking into a mystery next week...holding or should I say grabbing his right hand. No nights to pray over here for we have to pack 33 years of stuff. You make me want to trust Him so!

Anonymous said...

I would love to have Daniel's confidence right at this moment. Though I may not have his confidence nor his stregnth of faith, I am so glad that He grants to each of us that asked--I have to remember that His time, thought and ways better and higher than mine and trust He has my best interest in mind. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

The mysteries of His Word unfold before our eyes, and there are a thousand more where that came from. Revelation after revelation. I can't get enough of Him! Love, Annette

Leah Adams said...

I absolutely love the book of Daniel. It is so rich and so so so deep. I want to dare to be a Daniel!!

See you in a couple of weeks.

Leah

marine's words said...

have such wisdom in our life and discerning I would of love to had Daniel tell me one of my dreams.:)
marina

Lisa Smith said...

Shonda, I will be back to read both of these wonderful articles. Right now, I am tired and need rest. God has been speaking to me all day about revelation and glory. My words and thoughts are a jumble but will try to get it out soon...in His time. Hope you are having an awesome week! Praying for you, sweet friend.

Starla said...

That is what I tell some people when reading the Bible. Your not going to understand it all, but God reveal things in the Bible that he wants you to understand in that moment of time. What he reveals sometimes is what you might need to get yourself through that moment of time.

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

Duh, sorry about that. :-)

Okay, so I just realized that you probably LIVE in South Texas!

I am a little slow sometimes.

So that means you KNOW exactly what you're dealing with. I will pray for you and the events you will be teaching in, and know that I am praising God for His new work in my hometown!