To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You.
Daniel 2:23 (ESV)
Series Focus: “Let There Be Light”
I love puzzles! Not just those with pieces fitting together in precise patterns, but all puzzles: sudoku, word-finds, brain-teasers…even algebra. There’s a quandary needing conquered! I enjoy accepting those challenges and tackling the processes of analyzing, unraveling, and solving.
Of course, I am not always successful in cracking the code or unriddling the riddle. Sometimes I need a little help. There’s often information, clues, techniques, or perhaps even an answer key to help decipher the dilemma. Once that secret information is revealed and understood, the solver gains wisdom, and the decoding becomes simple.
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar posed a riddle, of sorts. He dreamed a dream and desired to know the meaning. He enlisted various counsel, but no one could reveal the interpretation. Daniel, wanting to bring understanding and peace, was confident he could solve the puzzle and share the answer with the King. Yet, Daniel’s confidence was not in his own knowledge and ability, but in God alone.
Daniel said:
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. 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; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him (Daniel 2:20-22).
As we continue reading, we see that God did show Daniel the secrets wrapped up in the King’s dream. After confirming openly that it is God who reveals mysteries, Daniel then explained the meaning. He further stated that God provided the interpretation not just for the King’s knowledge of the details, but also so the King would know his own thoughts.
Once a puzzle is solved—a mystery explained—it often is not for a singular purpose. Just as with King Nebuchadnezzar, light that comes from secrets revealed facilitates knowledge, understanding, and wisdom in multiple areas…and perhaps for multiple people. In fact, Jesus instructed the disciples, as we read in Matthew 10:27, to not keep the whispers they hear from Jesus to themselves:
What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
What mysteries are you desiring to understand? What answers are you needing? Wisdom, truth and knowledge come from God alone. As we seek His counsel, the unknown becomes known, secrets revealed, puzzles solved. Let’s quiet ourselves and listen for His whispers of light sprinkled in the moments we rest in His presence. And then, let’s share His wisdom with others.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Daniel 2:1-30; Matthew 10:27; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 13:12; James 1:5
