Daniel 2:11

Daniel 2:11 says, And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.  This is a continuation of the statement made by the magicians and astrologers, those who were thought to be the wise men of Babylon.  They said that there was no one who could answer the king except the gods.  They were almost correct.  There was none who could answer except someone appealing to the One true God.  We must always remember that what is impossible for man is possible for God, when we rely on Him for whatever we need.  Verse twelve adds, For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar was angry about their answer, and he decreed that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.  They most likely thought that if they said no one could do what the king asked that he would be satisfied.  Instead, they brought about their own destruction, which will be the fate of all those who claim to be able to tell the future without looking to God for guidance.  Verse thirteen continues, And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.  The king wasted no time in issuing the decree that they should be destroyed.  Daniel and his three friends were included in this round up.  Just as Daniel and his friends had been taken captive, they were now about to be killed through no fault of their own.  We may at times find ourselves in bad situations through no fault of our own, but we, like Daniel, must not allow it to shake our faith in God.  Verse fourteen states, Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:  Then verse fifteen adds, He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.  Daniel wanted to know why the king was so quick to decree the death of all for the failure of some wise men and magicians.  Arioch, who was in charge, told Daniel the reason.  If we are going to be condemned by the world, it is always good to know why.  Verse sixteen continues, Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.   Daniel didn't just rush in to see Nebuchadnezzar, but when he saw him simply asked for time with the promise that he would tell him the dream and the interpretation.  He needed time to pray to God for the answers.  We need to make sure that we pray and ask God for guidance in all that we do.  Verse seventeen says, Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:  Daniel did not just rely on himself, but shared the need with his three friends.  We do not need to feel that we are alone when confronting the evils of the world but should always remember that other Christians are at work and at prayer as well.  Verse eighteen adds, That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.  They were to desire the mercies of God that they would receive the answer and should not perish.  We today, by the mercy of God, have the answer to keep us from perishing spiritually, and that is accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  None of the other wisdom of the world can save us.  Then verse nineteen concludes, Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.  Daniel had remained faithful to God and God remained faithful to Daniel.  Daniel had placed his life in God's hands, believing that God would give him the answer for Nebuchadnezzar, and God delivered.  We can have that same assurance in life today, and since God has already delivered us to everlasting life, we should bless God by our actions.