From Prayer to Praise

DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE October 16, 2022 DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE Nebuchadnezzar’s Troubling Dream—2:1-3 Daniel 2:1-3 (NIV) 1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, "I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means." DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE • Dreams have played an important role in both the Old and the New Testament. • Spiritually speaking, dreams can come from three sources: the demonic realm, the soulish realm (meaning our own mind and emotions) or from God's Holy Spirit. DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE •Nebuchadnezzar had conquered the then known world and subjected all nations under him. Then … as he lay upon his bed he began to wonder about the future, and what would be hereafter. •He became so concerned that when he finally fell asleep, he dreamed a dream, which we know was God’s picture of the future interpreted through Daniel, of this present age and of the end times. • De Haan, M. R. (1995). Daniel the prophet DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE • Nebuchadnezzar Was Looking For His Magicians, Sorcerers, and Astrologists To Give Him Wisdom And Understanding, Not Knowing That “The Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Wisdom.” • If You Don’t Fear God -- Your Wisdom Will Falter DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE The King Issues A Reality Test – “Tell Me My Dream Or Die” 2:4-11 • The King Calls Together His “Go To” Guys I Need You To Interpret My Dream / If You Don't, I Will Kill You. • They Responded: “No One Alive Can Do That, What You Ask Is Too Difficult. Only The Gods Could Know The Contents Of This Dream.” DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE It Is Not The “gODS” – It is The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY:  Who Can Give A Dream  Who Knows The Contents Of The Dream  And Who Can Tell You What It Means Our Hope Must Be In Him Alone • Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) 3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE The Angry King Orders Execution Of All Wise Men —2:12-16 Daniel 2:12-16 (NIV) 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 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. 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king's officer, "Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. •Neb. Had An Overboard Reaction of Anger and Fury DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE We Do Foolish Things When We Are Angry. •Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV) 9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. • Psalm 37:8 (NIV) 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE How Does Daniel Handle This? •Daniel Does Not Lose His Cool -- He Continues To Trust God •Daniel Gets an Audience With Nebuchadnezzar •He Spoke With Wisdom And Tact – Not Condescension. DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE God Does Not Shy Away From Impossible Situations •Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) 15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. •Daniel Knew He Could Trust The Lord For A Way Out Or Through DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE Daniel Forms A Prayer Team: They Seek God's Mercy 2:17-19 •Daniel 2:17-19 (NIV) 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 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. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven • Prayer is more effective than panic. Panic confirms your hopelessness; prayer confirms your hope in God. DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE When We Call To God In Desperate Times He Will Answer •Isaiah 65:24 (NIV) 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. •He Has An Answer -- Where There Is No Answer •He Knows The Truth -- When It Seems To Be Hidden •He Knows The Way --When There Is No Seeming Way DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE The Prayer Meeting Becomes A Praise Service – V.19-23 Daniel 2:19-23 (NIV) 19 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." DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE • The king saw a great image, consisting of a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, a belly and thighs of brass and legs and feet of iron • The image represents the kingdoms and governments of this world in its several historic stages. • De Haan, M. R. (1995). Daniel the prophet DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE Daniel’s Praise About God:  He Is God Forever  He Is The God Of Wisdom And Power  God Of The Seasons- He Changes Times And Seasons  God Of Kings & Kingdoms - He Sets Up And Takes Down Kings DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE He Is The God Of Secret Things:  The God Who Gives Out Wisdom And Knowledge  The God Who Reveals Deep And Hidden Things  The God Who Knows What Lives In Darkness  The God Who Has Light Dwelling In Him DANIEL: FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE The Lesson In 2 Parts: #1) God Is Our Hope & Source -- God Has A Plan When No One Else Does #2) Daniel Bold To Stand Confidently Before The King Because He’d Spent Time With King Of Kings