Then Daniel went in and desire of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Daniel 2:16
The project manager was very angry with us because the system we had built and installed refused to work. A contract with a major client depended on that system working properly within a few days. He threatened to fire us all unless the system was working in time to meet the client’s deadline. We had no idea how to fix it, but we met to discuss what to do. An old developer arrived during our discussions as asked what the problem was. We explained the situation and said it was hopeless because nobody know how to fix the system. The old developer went to the project manager’s office and told him that the situation was in hand and the system would be up and running in plenty of time. He kept his word. Somehow, he figured out the problem, and resolved the issue with time to spare. Maybe he was a modern-day Daniel.
Actually, Daniel didn’t know how he was going to resolve the critical situation. Hundreds of top advisors and experts in the government were about to lose their lives, and that included Daniel and his companions. But Daniel did not react with dismay or concern. Even though he had no answer to the problem, he knew where answers lay, and his trust in his God was absolute. He was confident that God could and would supply the needed help. If we read the story, will will find out that Daniel and his companions prayed about the matter. They asked God for mercy, knowing that their lives were at stake. But Daniel’s confidence in God was such that he could assure the king that he would provide the dream’s description and interpretation. Such confidence would stand us in good stead today.
The greatest problem that people around us have is their sins and the punishment that awaits them. Can we in confidence in God present the Gospel to them, knowing that God can save them? Can we in confidence in God take the struggles within our Assemblies to God, knowing He can help us to be more loving, faithful, and zealous of good works? Can we in confidence in God place our personal problems and struggles in His hands, knowing that He can direct and provide for our good and His glory?
We don’t face the peril that Daniel did. But we do have the same God on Whom to rely for the answers. And faith is the same today as it was in Daniel’s time. -Jim MacIntosh