Daniel Lesson 3

Do you have trouble sleeping or do you sleep like a baby? How many of you have dreams? Do you dream in color? Can you remember your dreams after you wake up?

This week I have had very vivid dreams, disturbing dreams. Probably not a message from God but it was scary enough to wake me up at 4:30. Medial studies show people with “high recall of their dreams have twice as many periods of wakefulness during the night and their brains reacted more to sounds while they're sleeping and awake.”
Web MD 

If you suffer from chronic lack of sleep, you may wake up with a headache. You may also feel cranky, lethargic, and even depressed. Lack of sleep impairs attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem solving. It can affect your physical health and your emotional health. No wonder Nebuchadnezzar woke up in such a snit.

How do you know if your dreams are from God?

Who else might put thoughts into your mind? In my evening devotions Quiet Reflections of Peace I was reminded “we have a powerful enemy who whispers into our thought and fuels emotion of dread, worry, helplessness and fear. “

It was not uncommon for God to speak supernaturally to His people throughout the Bible: Dreams to reveal His plan, to further His plan, and warn people in places of influence. God allowed Joseph called “the dreamer” to turn his imprisonment into an opportunity. He used his gift to achieve a high position in Pharaoh’s court which ultimately saved the nation of Israel.

 The prophet Samuel as a young child was repeatedly awakened by God with a message of warning for his mentor Eli.

God also speaks to pagan rulers and kings. In Genesis 20 God warned Abimelech king of Gerar in a dream that he dare not touch Sarah for she was the wife of Abraham. She was promised to be “mother of nations.”

During the trial of our Lord Jesus, Pilate’s wife demanded “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Matthew 27:19

David speaks of God’s promise Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

Let us PRAY Father God, What a glorious image of you guarding me as I sleep. You never tire or forget to watch over me. Tonight guard my heart, guard my mind, and guard my lips as I teach. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. In Jesus precious name, Amen

Remember Daniel 2:4 through the seventh chapter is written in Aramaic, the language of the Babylonian court.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream~ Daniel 2:1-23

·        An Impossible Request

·        An Answered Prayer

                        Nothing is impossible with God.  

There were some dangers to being a king in Babylon. Young Nebuchadnezzar probably slept with one eye open, fearful someone wanted his position. Babylonians believe that the gods sent messages through dreams and failure to recall your dream could mean trouble with the gods.

Dr. David Jeremiah in his book Handwriting on the Wall (p. 48) says “Nebuchadnezzar was the first gentile king to be ruler of the world. It is no coincidence that the nature of the dream was God’s plan for the times of the Gentiles.”

God communicated to a pagan king through a recurrent dream. King Nebuchadnezzar was rightfully cautious about his kingship; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.  Either the king was so fearful he forgot the dream or he was using it to test the supernatural abilities and integrity of his wise men.

2:5 “The word from me is firm: (the ESV means I have decided) if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.    Somebody woke up grumpy.

⁶ But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”

Nebuchadnezzar had many different groups in his council: magicians or scholars; the astrologers or stargazers; the sorcerers or mediums; and the Chaldeans who were the wise men of Babylon. These men held positions of honor and prestige in the kingdom. They were supposed to be able to interpret dreams. But their positions and education could not save them from an angry king. If the wise men of Babylon where expendable who could be safe?

Daniel 2:11“What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” 

They did not know nothing is impossible with Our God. 

Not until Jesus came to earth. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Although they were still in training, King Nebuchadnezzar wanted all the men rounded up and executed.

Arioch was the captain of the king’s guard. The root of the original word “tabbah” translated guard means to slay. When he came knocking at the door of Daniel and his friends, God equipped Daniel with a calm and composed manner. “Why is the decree from the king so hasty?”

Although Nebuchadnezzar refused to grant his own seers more time, Daniel bravely asked to appear before the king to request “that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.” For nothing is impossible with God. 

Remarkably the request was granted. Daniel did not rush to his books of learning but to his faithful friends; Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. He asked them to seek mercies to reveal the dream to Daniel and save not only their lives but the lives of all the rest of the wise men in Babylon. These young men had to trust Daniel enough to believe God would speak through Him.

Throughout the book of Daniel we will see that Daniel and his friends are faithful in prayer to their God. Though far away from home they looked toward Jerusalem and claimed the promise that the God of the heavens would hear their prayers and answer them for His own glory. The word “secret” or the equivalent word “mystery” is used eight times in this chapter. Remember this chapter is in Raz: Aramaic, short for Raziah Meaning: Hebrew, "the Lord's secret".

Only the God of the universe could hid prophetic truth in a dream and give His servant Daniel the knowledge of the dream and the interpretation.

Because nothing is impossible with God. 

Matthew 13:10-12 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹² For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Ladies, I believe this is a promise that as we study our Bibles and spend time with God daily, we will be give understanding.

What do you do when you have a dilemma that keeps you awake at night? Do you have a prayer partner who can join you in petitioning the Father on your behalf?

James 5:16 The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. If you do not, I urge you for seek out “wise counsel” and commit to each other to pray for and lift each other before the throne of God. An accountability partner will also encourage you to be grounded in the Word and remind you to take your cares to the Creator of the Universe.

Will you remember nothing is impossible with God? 

This photo was so powerful! We pray fervently for our soldiers on foreign soil. I truly believe there is power in prayer.

Matthew 20: ¹⁹ Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

¹⁹ During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.  I’m sure Daniel was so excited when the LORD revealed the answer that would save all the wise men in Babylon most of us would run to tell someone. We might make a beeline for the king’s court. But not Daniel first he praised the God of heaven ²⁰ and said:

 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.

²¹ He changes times and seasons;
    he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
²² he reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what is in the darkness,
  and the light dwells with him.

When we give our hopes and dreams to God and then leave them in His hands, we can trust His love for us to fulfill what He has planned.

Will you remember that with God all things are possible?

Dear Lord,

When we have trouble sleeping thank you that Your power and love know no limits. You take away the frantic worries in our minds and refresh our souls as we sleep. Slow down our emotion-filled mind to thoughts of praising You. Guard us safely as we travel home in Jesus name and for His glory. Amen