Knowing The Revealer of Mysteries
Daniel 2:21b-22
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those
who have understanding. He reveals the deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him.
As in the story of Joseph in the Pharaohs court (Genesis 40-41), here we see again that the dreams of pagan idol worshipers and spirituality plays a significant role in the lives of the ungodly. And likewise in both stories, Daniel and Joseph both give all glory and exhaulted honor to the Almighty God of heaven. Unlike the pagan spiritual ministers and scientists, Daniel and Joseph did not believe the saying, "no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals." (Daniel 2:11)
Their God is with them. Not a human demigod or an idol, but the Spirit of God with them. And He inspires them when they pray and meditate upon him. And he gifts his disciples with spiritual guidance and an inner dialogue of sorts. In the case of Daniel he is gifted with prudence, he knew how to deal with men. He wasn't hasty, he practiced great self-control and maturity. Amazing for such a young man (probably just in his early 20's). And God gifted Daniel with a heart for prayer.
If you've ever been a person of prayer you completely understand this gift. You know that God reveals mysteries when you meditate on Him in prayer. He might give you insight into a stressful situation that helps you to understand and focus on the wisdom that can be found in it. He may simply confort you and reassure you as he goes through the day with you, helping you know you are not alone.
Daniel knew how by prayer to converse with God, he spoke about God's power and awesome grace. He got alone with God. And he approached God's presence with great expectations. He expected mercy from God because he knows God is merciful. Yes Daniel came into God's presence with adoration and allegiance, but more so he came with the spirit of dependence. He knows God is generous and loving, merciful and kind, and Daniel's whole life is dependent upon those qualities. Daniel desired mercy concerning the King's secret dream, and boy oh boy, God did not disappoint. The secret dream was revealed to Daniel in a night-vision. I believe he dreamed the same dream. Maybe while he was asleep, or maybe in a waking vision dream.
Having experienced these spiritual waking dreams I can tell you, without God's spirit within you, these things are not going to happen. And especially interpretation is not going to bear fruit. Some believe waking dreams are delivered by angels. I don't know, maybe. No angel ever announced himself in my dreams, I've heard them speak, always a warning, an encouraging yet alarmed and stern voice telling me to pray. Together we've fought off demons in prayer.
And like Daniel, when I've experienced the Lord's revelation or ministering angels in dreams, I gave thanks in a full assurance that he had done it. Everytime the event ended with loving adoration and thanksgiving. And in Daniel's spiritual event I see something very interesting, the details of his prayer was not recorded, but his thanksgiving is.
He writes a psalm of thanksgiving that we can read and pray with him, "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever." Where does Daniel go for knowing? In thanksgiving he tells us, "Wisdom and might are his". God has the strength, God has the wisdom. Most men try to steal at least one of these qualities for themselves. Daniel yields all of himself to God. He recognizes God's role in the ways of the world, God "removes kings", he "sets up kings", and he "gives knowledge".
"He reveals the deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him."
As Job discovered, so does Daniel, "he considered wisdom and evaluated it; he established it and examined it." (Job 28:27)
God is the revealer. He examines and establishes all wisdom. Our God is a thinking God. He's considerate. He himself perfectly discerns and distinguishes what is good and right and wise. And "he will bring into judgment every secret thing". He "knows what is in the darkness, and what is done in the darkness" (Psalm 139).
Daniel has an eye toward God. He makes him the Lord of his life. He confesses in his need and desire, his need for the presence of The Spirit. He praises God. He acknowledges that all his wisdom and prudence are gifts from God. And our God who hates the spirit of pagan divination and the spirituality sciences, puts honor on the Spirit of prophecy and interpretation in his disciples who come to him for his mercy and wisdom.
Daniel is the disciples example for prayer and wisdom. May we all come to God in prayer desiring the gift of prophecy. May we all, who love God, heed the words of the apostle Paul, "You should seek after love, and you should truly want to have the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." (1 Corinthians 14:1).