Perfectly Displaced: When God Provides

Daniel and his three friends are in a place of favor near the throne of King Nebuchadnezzar.

The King had a troubling dream. He called his advisors together to offer interpretations.

If they were unable to tell him the dream and interpret the meaning, they would die.

We have all been in a rock and a hard place.

Babylon was powerful in their own eyes until God exposed their lack of wisdom.

When situations fall apart, faithful followers of Jesus Christ are needed.

READ (DANIEL 2:13-30)

1. Pray Until God Provides.

Daniel and his three friends went to the only One who could deliver them. they prayed to the God of Heaven.

Daniel informed the men of the Kings command and asked for prayer.

He called to men whose names mean “Beloved of the Lord”, “Who is as God”, and “The Lord is my help”.

Their Hebrew names came from the context of faith and prayer.

Accountability. Godly people ask the right questions.

Instead of coming up with a place, Godly men asked the Lord to provide for their need.

Who is in your circle?

Men and women will call us to pray for God to do something are like gold.

Prayer is the first action step a believer takes within a dilemma.

2. Praise Overflows out of Provision.

Daniel received the answer from God in a night vision.

His 1st concern was to give God glory for the revelation.

“Wisdom and power belong to Him.”

God reigns over the confusion on earth and we will give thanks.

“Changes seasons… removes Kings and establishes Kings.”

Even though the men were sentenced to death by a king, they gave glory to the one who removes and establishes them. God is sovereign over nations and rulers.

“Wisdom and Power”

He gave wisdom to fullfill the impossible request that shocked Babylon.

“Reveals Deep and Hidden Things.”

“All things were created through him, and apart from him not one things was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” - (John 1:3-5)

“O God of My Ancestors”

Praise of God and virtue of wisdom identitied Daniel with Jewish tradition. Daniel connects the worship of god to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Show resistance to the Babylonian policy of pluralism and idol worship.

Daniel won! You can learn about a person who has won something. (Prideful or humble)

Prayer in the midst of a trial displays that you are aligned correctly.

When the Lord provides, praise is the most logical response.

ACTS method of prayer.

Thanksgiving is crucial.

Don’t forget to celebrate and thank God for his provision.

3. God Get’s the Credit.

After Daniel praised the Lord, he was able to approach the throne with confidence.

Arioch. He tried to take the credit for finding Daniel.

Daniel confessed that he didn’t have the wisdom.

Even though he was the only human who knew the answer, he was humble.

Daniels first concen was to disclaim any special power or qualifications; but there is a God in Heaven.

“He is here: the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, the one who makes the dawn out of darkness and strides on the heights of the earth. The Lord, the God of Armies, is his name.” - (Amos 4:13)

God was opening the door to understand the whole future. “Last things”.

He had a deepr purpose.

“I saved so and so”. Foolish talk.

No one gets to take credit for the work of God.

He is in charge. The foundation of truth and power.

“14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” - (Hebrews 4:14-16)

When God provides, we can boldly walk in truth.