THE HANDLING OF A CRISIS There is in the natural man a certain propensity to mystery. Men are often fond of ascribing to God things they do not understand, as though it was the preference of the Almighty to work in obscurity toward those who trust in Him. It is certainly true that "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing" (Prov 25:2), but not from those who trust in Him. God is honored when His matters are hidden from the "wise and the prudent." But He is glorified when those very things are "revealed unto babes," or those who are willing to trust in Him (Matt 11:25; Lk 10:21). -- Tomorrow:
"And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. 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: 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. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 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." (Daniel 2:13-18)
Devotion 17 of 28
In His dealings with those who believe, God is known more for revealing than concealing, and for making known than for hiding. It was for this reason that David often prayed for understanding: i.e., for God to make known to him secrets that could not otherwise be comprehended – "Give me understanding" (Psa 119:34, 73,125,144,169). Thus we read the following.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God REVEALED from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17).
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath REVEALED them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:9-10).
"Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was NOT MADE KNOWN unto the sons of men, as it is now REVEALED unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Eph 3:4-5).
"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to THE REVELATION of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is MADE MANIFEST, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, MADE KNOWN to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Rom 16:25-26).
"Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having MADE KNOWN unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in himself" (Eph 1:8-9).
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is MANIFESTED, being witnessed by the law and the prophets" (Rom 3:21).
"But hath in due times MANIFESTED His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior" (Tit 1:3).
Because of this circumstance, our salvation is associated with being "enlightened" (Eph 1:18; Heb 6:4), being "illuminated" (Heb 10:32), the day dawning, and the Day Star rising in our hearts (2 Pet 1:19).
Although these things are not commonly known among professed believers in Christ, they were sensed by Daniel. He knew God as a Revealer, and thus took matters he could not understand to Him. He did not run to the Babylonian library, or begin searching through their literature on the interpretation of dreams. Even though he had not personally had the dream, and had no idea what the dream was, yet he did know where to inquire. He was not willing to let the matter remain a secret, particularly since the lives of him and his fellows depended upon him providing a satisfactory and true answer to the king.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for opening the eyes of my understanding, and enabling me to comprehend something of the glory of Your great salvation.