Daniel Kneels in Night Prayer of PraiseBible World
2:22Daniel 2:22
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
God alone knows everything hidden in darkness and brings deep secret things to light, for all wisdom, power, knowledge and light live with Him. He proved this by showing Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its meaning to Daniel in a night vision in answer to united prayer. That gift exposed the helplessness of Babylon's wise men and shows all true understanding comes from Him, not from human learning or corrupted judgment. He is supreme over history, changing times and seasons and raising up and removing kings while working His own purpose even through those who do not know Him. He still gives that wisdom to those who fear Him, stay closely connected to Him in prayer, and diligently use what He has given, enabling them to stand firm and witness for Him.
Dream and Its Setting
Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by a remarkable dream whose details he could not recall after waking. The wise men summoned to explain it could not tell him what it was without being told, let alone interpret it. This failure belonged to the larger account in which God's power and faithfulness were revealed to Babylon, showing that He reveals hidden and secret things and knows what is concealed in darkness. He thereby made the meaning known through the faithful Hebrew captives while exposing the limits of human and scientific knowledge and the superior wisdom given to those who worship Him, to turn people from false sources of wisdom to Him.
When the decree went out to destroy the wise men of Babylon, Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom and asked why the decree was so hasty. He requested time from the king in faith that God would give the interpretation. He then asked Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning the secret so they would not perish with the rest of the wise men.
God revealed the secret of the forgotten dream and its interpretation to Daniel in a night vision in answer to the prayers of Daniel and his companions. Daniel's understanding came through his close connection with God as a faithful steward who placed himself in the channel of light to commune with God in prayer. Daniel answered with blessing and thanksgiving, praising the God of heaven and of his fathers as owner of wisdom and might who changes times and seasons, removes and sets up kings, and gives wisdom and knowledge. The glory belonged to God rather than human wisdom, showing that wisdom and knowledge come from God who alone knows hidden things, including what is concealed in darkness, and with whom light and wisdom dwell.
That revelation made the significance of the image plain. By it their own lives and the lives of the astrologers and soothsayers and great men of Babylon were saved from death and from an ignominious death. Daniel had made known to Nebuchadnezzar his forgotten dream and its interpretation many years before Belshazzar's feast, so the queen-mother remembered him as the one able to make known hidden things when the wise men could not read the writing on the wall.
When Daniel sought divine wisdom in the court of a heathen king, heavenly holy angels ministered to him on a mission of mercy to give the hidden knowledge he needed.
What God Knows and Reveals
God alone knows what is hidden, including what lies in darkness, and He reveals deep and secret things, for wisdom and might and knowledge and light dwell with Him. He gave Daniel the wisdom and knowledge needed for the king's secret matter, revealing to him in a night vision the forgotten dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation with the prophetic events that would follow. That revelation came in answer to prayer when the decree went out to destroy the wise men of Babylon, after Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom, asked why the decree was hasty, requested time from the king in faith that God would give the interpretation, and asked Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning the secret so they would not perish, and Daniel then blessed the God of heaven. Their diligent application under God's training was richly rewarded, for because they made thorough effort to gain knowledge the Lord added heavenly wisdom that served them in strait places and made them able to give a reason for their hope, to stand examination in all learning and wisdom, and to be found ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers. The glory belonged to God rather than human wisdom, for divine knowledge and not the claimed wisdom of Babylon's learned men made the mystery known, and He gave wisdom and understanding to His faithful representatives who trusted Him and sought His grace and strength and enlightenment.
The light dwelling with Him is in Christ, in whom there is no darkness at all, as a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. God Himself is so effulgent in light that Lucifer as covering cherub veiled His glory so the universe could behold it. The lamp in the heavenly sanctuary was not needed to light heaven but to represent His church giving light to the world. Chosen Israel was to be the representation of the great light and the light of the world, a light kept burning before God never to burn dim, go out, or become extinct.
The verse means God is all-wise and all-knowing, of infinite understanding, acquainted with human thoughts afar off, with all ways and goings and with every word on the tongue, knowing all His works from the beginning. Because He is the Omniscient One above finite erring beings, finite man must not attempt to interpret Him, silence before Him is eloquence, and speech about Him must be very careful. Speculation about Him is foolish devising that He will speedily bring to nothing, and every word will be brought to light when truth and falsehood are placed in sharp contrast.
His revelation is sure and never mistaken, and His word does not return without accomplishing its purpose. His knowledge and judgment make no mistake, and because He knows what is in darkness He sees character exactly as it is. His approval of faithful choices and His gift of knowledge and wisdom show that He honors those who honor Him, honoring the faith of those who dedicate themselves to Him without reserve and blessing them with a clear mind, while exposing those who murmur and complain in ambition for more power as unable to carry responsibility.
Daniel received his light from God and spoke before intelligent minds by revelation. The Lord sees and is acquainted with all doings in darkness, so true discernment comes only from Him, not from corrupted intellect, imaginings, appetites and desires. Those covered in gross spiritual darkness and blindness who freely express their own opinions as though like Daniel they were receiving light from God do not have that light.
Prophecy Proved and Understood
The second chapter of Daniel proves that God reveals deep and secret things, because its prophecy was fulfilled with wonderful exactness as seen in the historian's record. That exact fulfillment testifies to the inspiration of the Scriptures and gives an anchor amid the perils of rationalism and skepticism. It leads from skepticism and ignorance of true faith to positive faith through studying the Bible and searching for clearer light.
Contrary to the popular belief that the prophecies of Daniel are mysteries and cannot be understood, they can be understood and explained. Even children can explain them to parents and to men of rank and learning. They show that the coming of the Lord is at hand, a solemn and important truth to be brought before the people.
God revealed to Daniel the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation, making known the prophetic events that would follow, including the mysteries of future ages. That ability to read hidden things came by prophetic power and instruction from God, not from human wisdom, and its glory belonged to God. He alone knows what is hidden and reveals the future, He is the source of all wisdom and rules over the events of history, and the God who ruled in Babylon rules unchanged now. He fulfills His sure word of prophecy through men and doctrines and nature itself in the grand closing work of this world's history.
God Above Human Wisdom
Daniel's song of praise after the night vision shows that it was divine knowledge, not the claimed wisdom of Babylon's learned men, that made the mystery known, for wisdom and might belong to God who reveals deep and secret things, knows what is hidden in darkness, and has light dwelling with Him. In the crisis over Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream, which none of the wise men could recover or interpret, He gave the secret to Daniel and made known through him and the faithful Hebrew captives the events of prophetic history, displaying His wisdom and power in contrast with theirs. The gift came to faithful representatives who trusted Him and sought Him for grace, strength, enlightenment and divine understanding, and the glory belonged to God and not to them. By this He exposed the limits of human and scientific knowledge and showed the superior wisdom given to those who worship Him, to turn people from false sources of wisdom to Himself.
The verse points to God and not to human agents or rulers as supreme, the owner and source of wisdom, might, knowledge and light who changes times and seasons, removes and sets up kings, governs events and rulers, reveals what is deep and hidden, and alone knows what is hidden and reveals the future. No earthly position is beyond His power to humble and no low condition is beyond His power to raise, and in this He humbles human pride and glory. Those who refuse His counsel lose the wisdom they could have used rightly and become unable to know God and Jesus Christ. Daniel received the king's matter in a night vision because as a faithful steward he did not forget God but placed himself in the channel of light to commune with Him in prayer, and he answered with blessing and thanksgiving to the God of his fathers for giving wisdom and making it known. To acknowledge God before Nebuchadnezzar as the source of wisdom instead of glorifying human power was faithful stewardship, while failure to acknowledge His goodness would dishonor Him, and those who follow Daniel's example connect with the Lord and consult Him as a son consults a wise father, trusting and depending on Him with perfect assurance in committing the keeping of their souls to Him.
Even when men act out their own natural attributes and purposes, loyal or disloyal, righteous or wicked, trampling down one another without understanding what they are doing, God knows what they do and carries out His own purpose through them. He who knows what is in darkness and brings secret things to light knows how their actions fit into His purpose and can use them to fulfill it. So the priests thought they were carrying out their own purposes against Christ, but unconsciously and unintentionally they fulfilled the purpose of God, which He knew and reveals.
Receiving Wisdom Through Connection
The secret was made known in answer to prayer, when Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah sought mercy from the God of heaven so they would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon, and God revealed the forgotten dream and its interpretation with its coming prophetic events to Daniel in a night vision. They had sought Him for grace and strength and divine understanding, crying to Him together with united prayer and fasting to understand the dream He had given the king, and He heard and gave Daniel wisdom to interpret it. By that revelation their own lives and the lives of the astrologers and soothsayers were saved from death, and the glory belonged to God rather than to human wisdom.
Hidden things are made known to those who fear Him and keep a close, living connection with Him. Daniel was a faithful steward who did not forget God but placed himself in right relation in the channel of light to commune with God in prayer, consulting Him as a son consults a wise father and trusting and depending on Him with perfect assurance in committing the keeping of the soul to Him. That close connection through prayer enabled him to meet his duties, and students may likewise seek God's wisdom living with awareness that God sees them. As people strive to obtain knowledge of God, He communes with them as He communed with Daniel and his companions and gives prevailing power.
Their diligent application under God's training was richly rewarded, for because they made thorough effort to gain knowledge the Lord added heavenly wisdom. That wisdom served them in strait places and hard places, enabling them to give a reason for their hope, to stand examination in all learning and wisdom, and to be found ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers. God will not supply deficiencies caused by mental and spiritual indolence. Communion with the God of wisdom and power makes a person intellectually strong, showing through daily life what one may become when connected with God, without making him narrow-minded or lacking in education or influence.
Daniel looked to God for wisdom and then put into exercise every power God had given him until he became a trusted man in the kingdom of Babylon. God gives such wisdom to those who are faithful and humble and realize their dependence on Him as the One to whom they must give account for mental and physical endowments. Standing where Daniel stood brings progressive education, and progressive education means progressive sanctification, which prepares for inheriting the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world for God's faithful ones.
Daniel looked to God for wisdom for himself and received it by asking Him directly with a contrite mind, and praying as he did leads to an understanding heart. This shows people should seek wisdom from above rather than make human institutions their controlling authority, and believers must not merge individual judgment in any institution or council of men. Each steward of means must look to God for wisdom about how to use what God entrusted to him to advance the work in needy places, help the suffering, and build up the truth, and then act on his own judgment.
Living by Divine Wisdom
Daniel placed himself in the channel of light to commune with God in prayer, and because he was a faithful steward who did not forget God the dream none of the wise men could interpret was revealed to him in a night vision. He answered with blessing and thanksgiving, praising God as owner of wisdom and might who changes times and seasons, removes and sets up kings, and gives wisdom and knowledge, and thanking the God of his fathers for giving wisdom and making known the king's matter. Acknowledging God as the source of wisdom before Nebuchadnezzar instead of glorifying human power was faithful stewardship, while failing to acknowledge His goodness would dishonor Him. Those who follow his example connect with the Lord and consult Him as a son consults a wise father, trusting and depending on Him with perfect assurance in committing the keeping of their souls to Him. His firm, bold, open acknowledgment before kings, princes, and statesmen did not detract from his influence, and it stands as an example of clear-cut testimony that cuts to the right and to the left to bring foolish, wandering minds back to God.
Daniel sought power and wisdom from God so that he could represent truth in righteousness rather than himself or his flaws. Wisdom so given leaves no room for pride or self-importance. God's approval of the faithful choices of the young men and His gift of knowledge and wisdom show that He honors those who honor Him. He honors the faith of those who dedicate themselves to Him without reserve and blesses them with a clear mind, while He exposes those who murmur and complain in ambition for more power as unable to carry responsibility.
God revealed to Daniel truths hidden from other people, giving light and truth that shone through Daniel's witness amid Babylon's moral darkness and continued to shine through the ages. That light and understanding came from God as its source. Daniel's life as prophet and prime minister illustrates that a businessperson may be instructed by God at every step and conduct business with integrity.
The God of Daniel still gives wisdom to those who rely on Him. A physician connected with Christ can receive heavenly wisdom and work with greater skill and precision than one relying on scientific knowledge alone. Like Daniel, one who relies on God may receive divine wisdom for difficult cases, which scientific knowledge without that dependence cannot attain in wisdom and precision.
God has the same intelligence and knowledge far above all human knowledge to give now as He gave to Daniel when Daniel placed himself in right relation with Him. Standing where Daniel stood brings progressive education, and progressive education means progressive sanctification preparing for inheriting the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, for as people strive to obtain knowledge of God He communes with them as He communed with Daniel and his companions and gives prevailing power. The God who ruled in Babylon rules unchanged now and fulfills His sure word of prophecy through men and doctrines and nature itself in the grand closing work of this world's history. He elevates the humblest soul that trusts in Him and unites His power with human effort when a person honors Him as Daniel did, which requires purity, freedom from self, steadfastness, righteousness, holiness, and truth, since the most harmonious theory alone will not save.
God alone knows everything hidden in darkness and brings deep secret things to light, for all wisdom, power, knowledge and light live with Him. He proved this by showing Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its meaning to Daniel in a night vision in answer to united prayer. That gift exposed the helplessness of Babylon's wise men and shows all true understanding comes from Him, not from human learning or corrupted judgment. He is supreme over history, changing times and seasons and raising up and removing kings while working His own purpose even through those who do not know Him. He still gives that wisdom to those who fear Him, stay closely connected to Him in prayer, and diligently use what He has given, enabling them to stand firm and witness for Him.
Dream and Its Setting
Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by a remarkable dream whose details he could not recall after waking. The wise men summoned to explain it could not tell him what it was without being told, let alone interpret it. This failure belonged to the larger account in which God's power and faithfulness were revealed to Babylon, showing that He reveals hidden and secret things and knows what is concealed in darkness. He thereby made the meaning known through the faithful Hebrew captives while exposing the limits of human and scientific knowledge and the superior wisdom given to those who worship Him, to turn people from false sources of wisdom to Him.
When the decree went out to destroy the wise men of Babylon, Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom and asked why the decree was so hasty. He requested time from the king in faith that God would give the interpretation. He then asked Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning the secret so they would not perish with the rest of the wise men.
God revealed the secret of the forgotten dream and its interpretation to Daniel in a night vision in answer to the prayers of Daniel and his companions. Daniel's understanding came through his close connection with God as a faithful steward who placed himself in the channel of light to commune with God in prayer. Daniel answered with blessing and thanksgiving, praising the God of heaven and of his fathers as owner of wisdom and might who changes times and seasons, removes and sets up kings, and gives wisdom and knowledge. The glory belonged to God rather than human wisdom, showing that wisdom and knowledge come from God who alone knows hidden things, including what is concealed in darkness, and with whom light and wisdom dwell.
That revelation made the significance of the image plain. By it their own lives and the lives of the astrologers and soothsayers and great men of Babylon were saved from death and from an ignominious death. Daniel had made known to Nebuchadnezzar his forgotten dream and its interpretation many years before Belshazzar's feast, so the queen-mother remembered him as the one able to make known hidden things when the wise men could not read the writing on the wall.
When Daniel sought divine wisdom in the court of a heathen king, heavenly holy angels ministered to him on a mission of mercy to give the hidden knowledge he needed.
What God Knows and Reveals
God alone knows what is hidden, including what lies in darkness, and He reveals deep and secret things, for wisdom and might and knowledge and light dwell with Him. He gave Daniel the wisdom and knowledge needed for the king's secret matter, revealing to him in a night vision the forgotten dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation with the prophetic events that would follow. That revelation came in answer to prayer when the decree went out to destroy the wise men of Babylon, after Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom, asked why the decree was hasty, requested time from the king in faith that God would give the interpretation, and asked Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning the secret so they would not perish, and Daniel then blessed the God of heaven. Their diligent application under God's training was richly rewarded, for because they made thorough effort to gain knowledge the Lord added heavenly wisdom that served them in strait places and made them able to give a reason for their hope, to stand examination in all learning and wisdom, and to be found ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers. The glory belonged to God rather than human wisdom, for divine knowledge and not the claimed wisdom of Babylon's learned men made the mystery known, and He gave wisdom and understanding to His faithful representatives who trusted Him and sought His grace and strength and enlightenment.
The light dwelling with Him is in Christ, in whom there is no darkness at all, as a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. God Himself is so effulgent in light that Lucifer as covering cherub veiled His glory so the universe could behold it. The lamp in the heavenly sanctuary was not needed to light heaven but to represent His church giving light to the world. Chosen Israel was to be the representation of the great light and the light of the world, a light kept burning before God never to burn dim, go out, or become extinct.
The verse means God is all-wise and all-knowing, of infinite understanding, acquainted with human thoughts afar off, with all ways and goings and with every word on the tongue, knowing all His works from the beginning. Because He is the Omniscient One above finite erring beings, finite man must not attempt to interpret Him, silence before Him is eloquence, and speech about Him must be very careful. Speculation about Him is foolish devising that He will speedily bring to nothing, and every word will be brought to light when truth and falsehood are placed in sharp contrast.
His revelation is sure and never mistaken, and His word does not return without accomplishing its purpose. His knowledge and judgment make no mistake, and because He knows what is in darkness He sees character exactly as it is. His approval of faithful choices and His gift of knowledge and wisdom show that He honors those who honor Him, honoring the faith of those who dedicate themselves to Him without reserve and blessing them with a clear mind, while exposing those who murmur and complain in ambition for more power as unable to carry responsibility.
Daniel received his light from God and spoke before intelligent minds by revelation. The Lord sees and is acquainted with all doings in darkness, so true discernment comes only from Him, not from corrupted intellect, imaginings, appetites and desires. Those covered in gross spiritual darkness and blindness who freely express their own opinions as though like Daniel they were receiving light from God do not have that light.
Prophecy Proved and Understood
The second chapter of Daniel proves that God reveals deep and secret things, because its prophecy was fulfilled with wonderful exactness as seen in the historian's record. That exact fulfillment testifies to the inspiration of the Scriptures and gives an anchor amid the perils of rationalism and skepticism. It leads from skepticism and ignorance of true faith to positive faith through studying the Bible and searching for clearer light.
Contrary to the popular belief that the prophecies of Daniel are mysteries and cannot be understood, they can be understood and explained. Even children can explain them to parents and to men of rank and learning. They show that the coming of the Lord is at hand, a solemn and important truth to be brought before the people.
God revealed to Daniel the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation, making known the prophetic events that would follow, including the mysteries of future ages. That ability to read hidden things came by prophetic power and instruction from God, not from human wisdom, and its glory belonged to God. He alone knows what is hidden and reveals the future, He is the source of all wisdom and rules over the events of history, and the God who ruled in Babylon rules unchanged now. He fulfills His sure word of prophecy through men and doctrines and nature itself in the grand closing work of this world's history.
God Above Human Wisdom
Daniel's song of praise after the night vision shows that it was divine knowledge, not the claimed wisdom of Babylon's learned men, that made the mystery known, for wisdom and might belong to God who reveals deep and secret things, knows what is hidden in darkness, and has light dwelling with Him. In the crisis over Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream, which none of the wise men could recover or interpret, He gave the secret to Daniel and made known through him and the faithful Hebrew captives the events of prophetic history, displaying His wisdom and power in contrast with theirs. The gift came to faithful representatives who trusted Him and sought Him for grace, strength, enlightenment and divine understanding, and the glory belonged to God and not to them. By this He exposed the limits of human and scientific knowledge and showed the superior wisdom given to those who worship Him, to turn people from false sources of wisdom to Himself.
The verse points to God and not to human agents or rulers as supreme, the owner and source of wisdom, might, knowledge and light who changes times and seasons, removes and sets up kings, governs events and rulers, reveals what is deep and hidden, and alone knows what is hidden and reveals the future. No earthly position is beyond His power to humble and no low condition is beyond His power to raise, and in this He humbles human pride and glory. Those who refuse His counsel lose the wisdom they could have used rightly and become unable to know God and Jesus Christ. Daniel received the king's matter in a night vision because as a faithful steward he did not forget God but placed himself in the channel of light to commune with Him in prayer, and he answered with blessing and thanksgiving to the God of his fathers for giving wisdom and making it known. To acknowledge God before Nebuchadnezzar as the source of wisdom instead of glorifying human power was faithful stewardship, while failure to acknowledge His goodness would dishonor Him, and those who follow Daniel's example connect with the Lord and consult Him as a son consults a wise father, trusting and depending on Him with perfect assurance in committing the keeping of their souls to Him.
Even when men act out their own natural attributes and purposes, loyal or disloyal, righteous or wicked, trampling down one another without understanding what they are doing, God knows what they do and carries out His own purpose through them. He who knows what is in darkness and brings secret things to light knows how their actions fit into His purpose and can use them to fulfill it. So the priests thought they were carrying out their own purposes against Christ, but unconsciously and unintentionally they fulfilled the purpose of God, which He knew and reveals.
Receiving Wisdom Through Connection
The secret was made known in answer to prayer, when Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah sought mercy from the God of heaven so they would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon, and God revealed the forgotten dream and its interpretation with its coming prophetic events to Daniel in a night vision. They had sought Him for grace and strength and divine understanding, crying to Him together with united prayer and fasting to understand the dream He had given the king, and He heard and gave Daniel wisdom to interpret it. By that revelation their own lives and the lives of the astrologers and soothsayers were saved from death, and the glory belonged to God rather than to human wisdom.
Hidden things are made known to those who fear Him and keep a close, living connection with Him. Daniel was a faithful steward who did not forget God but placed himself in right relation in the channel of light to commune with God in prayer, consulting Him as a son consults a wise father and trusting and depending on Him with perfect assurance in committing the keeping of the soul to Him. That close connection through prayer enabled him to meet his duties, and students may likewise seek God's wisdom living with awareness that God sees them. As people strive to obtain knowledge of God, He communes with them as He communed with Daniel and his companions and gives prevailing power.
Their diligent application under God's training was richly rewarded, for because they made thorough effort to gain knowledge the Lord added heavenly wisdom. That wisdom served them in strait places and hard places, enabling them to give a reason for their hope, to stand examination in all learning and wisdom, and to be found ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers. God will not supply deficiencies caused by mental and spiritual indolence. Communion with the God of wisdom and power makes a person intellectually strong, showing through daily life what one may become when connected with God, without making him narrow-minded or lacking in education or influence.
Daniel looked to God for wisdom and then put into exercise every power God had given him until he became a trusted man in the kingdom of Babylon. God gives such wisdom to those who are faithful and humble and realize their dependence on Him as the One to whom they must give account for mental and physical endowments. Standing where Daniel stood brings progressive education, and progressive education means progressive sanctification, which prepares for inheriting the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world for God's faithful ones.
Daniel looked to God for wisdom for himself and received it by asking Him directly with a contrite mind, and praying as he did leads to an understanding heart. This shows people should seek wisdom from above rather than make human institutions their controlling authority, and believers must not merge individual judgment in any institution or council of men. Each steward of means must look to God for wisdom about how to use what God entrusted to him to advance the work in needy places, help the suffering, and build up the truth, and then act on his own judgment.
Living by Divine Wisdom
Daniel placed himself in the channel of light to commune with God in prayer, and because he was a faithful steward who did not forget God the dream none of the wise men could interpret was revealed to him in a night vision. He answered with blessing and thanksgiving, praising God as owner of wisdom and might who changes times and seasons, removes and sets up kings, and gives wisdom and knowledge, and thanking the God of his fathers for giving wisdom and making known the king's matter. Acknowledging God as the source of wisdom before Nebuchadnezzar instead of glorifying human power was faithful stewardship, while failing to acknowledge His goodness would dishonor Him. Those who follow his example connect with the Lord and consult Him as a son consults a wise father, trusting and depending on Him with perfect assurance in committing the keeping of their souls to Him. His firm, bold, open acknowledgment before kings, princes, and statesmen did not detract from his influence, and it stands as an example of clear-cut testimony that cuts to the right and to the left to bring foolish, wandering minds back to God.
Daniel sought power and wisdom from God so that he could represent truth in righteousness rather than himself or his flaws. Wisdom so given leaves no room for pride or self-importance. God's approval of the faithful choices of the young men and His gift of knowledge and wisdom show that He honors those who honor Him. He honors the faith of those who dedicate themselves to Him without reserve and blesses them with a clear mind, while He exposes those who murmur and complain in ambition for more power as unable to carry responsibility.
God revealed to Daniel truths hidden from other people, giving light and truth that shone through Daniel's witness amid Babylon's moral darkness and continued to shine through the ages. That light and understanding came from God as its source. Daniel's life as prophet and prime minister illustrates that a businessperson may be instructed by God at every step and conduct business with integrity.
The God of Daniel still gives wisdom to those who rely on Him. A physician connected with Christ can receive heavenly wisdom and work with greater skill and precision than one relying on scientific knowledge alone. Like Daniel, one who relies on God may receive divine wisdom for difficult cases, which scientific knowledge without that dependence cannot attain in wisdom and precision.
God has the same intelligence and knowledge far above all human knowledge to give now as He gave to Daniel when Daniel placed himself in right relation with Him. Standing where Daniel stood brings progressive education, and progressive education means progressive sanctification preparing for inheriting the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, for as people strive to obtain knowledge of God He communes with them as He communed with Daniel and his companions and gives prevailing power. The God who ruled in Babylon rules unchanged now and fulfills His sure word of prophecy through men and doctrines and nature itself in the grand closing work of this world's history. He elevates the humblest soul that trusts in Him and unites His power with human effort when a person honors Him as Daniel did, which requires purity, freedom from self, steadfastness, righteousness, holiness, and truth, since the most harmonious theory alone will not save.