God will make a way, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. (Song by Don Moen)
Dan 2.22 He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells in him.
Do you need God to do something for you that seems impossible? Or do you need God to break into a situation to make a way through? Are you in a situation where everything seems stacked against you and there is no way through? Well, we have a God who specialises in making a way where there seems to be no way.
On Sunday Tom in his message, outlined how Daniel needed God to do something extraordinary so he and his three Hebrew companions would not be killed by Nebuchadnezzar. The king in this story had asked the wise men and magicians in Babylon to give him a description of his dream, as well as the interpretation, something that was clearly impossible unless God showed them. The magicians couldn’t meet his request and Nebuchadnezzar became so enraged that he ordered that all the Babylonian magicians to be killed. When Daniel heard about it he asked for more time and then prayed with his three Jewish companions Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. That night God not only showed Daniel the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had seen but also gave the interpretation.
I have often wondered how Daniel slept that night. I would have been awake all night with anxiety and worry about the situation or I would have been running away. Daniel trusted God, prayed along with his friends and went to sleep believing God would answer him. He had an amazing trust in God and was totally dependent on him. He combined two actions with simply trusting faith.
We will often have situations in our lives that need God to intervene. Examples of this could include physical or emotional healing, a family fallout that needs restoration, a big financial need or a job situation that needs God’s intervention. In all these things we need to trust God to work them out.
It is also interesting that Daniel did three things before he received his answer from God.
- He took some action to clarify and understand the situation and spoke to the right person to negotiate a little extra time. That’s often an important step when everything seems to be against you.
- He then took the situation to the faith community (church) that he was part of, so they could all pray together. It wasn’t just him praying on his own. He shared the situation with his companions, and they were all involved and praying together.
- He then turned it over to God and trusted him to speak, believing he would act.
God then gave the answer to Daniel in a vision.
Daniel is such a good example for us today. If you are in a situation that needs God’s intervention, then why not follow Daniel’s way of responding. You may also want to listen to the rather dated but relevant Don Moen song I quoted at the beginning.