5 March • Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent
Daniel 2:20-23
20 Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wiseand knowledge to those who have understanding;
22 he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
23 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,
for you have made known to us the king's matter.”
Meditation
King Nebuchadnezzar’s officials were given an impossible task: to tell him what his dream was and then interpret it. Interpreting a dream was manageable, for who could say there and then that the given interpretation was wrong? If inspiration was lacking, just resort to platitudes and generalities. But it is a different matter altogether to tell what the undisclosed dream was and then interpret it. For Daniel, the impossible was made possible because the one true God revealed it to him.
Accordingly, Daniel praised God for the gift of His revelation, especially the deep and hidden things. The ‘deep things’ here refer to profound matters that demand special insights, while the ‘secret things’ refer to the unknown or unknowable through human means. The latter need no further explanation, but the former calls for some reflection.
Human beings crave knowledge, especially the type that is special or only available to a few. But we have to ask why do we want such knowledge. Is it for gain, power, or control over our future? Consider the following: how does it profit us if by knowledge we gain the whole world, but only to lose our soul? We become smart devils but devils we remain. This is where the mention of deep things become so important. Daniel’s prayer connects them to God’s involvement in changes in times and seasons and the rise and fall of kings. Deep things are connected with God’s great plan and His character, as nothing is more profound or important than that.
When knowledge is applied in accordance with God’s plan and character, eternal blessings spread. All knowledge must therefore be connected with the ‘deep things’, for they drive us back to God: to know Him and His ways, and to serve Him and His people. These things will extricate us from our self-centredness and the one place to start is Scripture, with the posture of prayer.
Prayer
Dear God, grant me insight and wisdom to comprehend Your ways and Your plans. Most important of all, help me to know You better. Lead me to use what I know for the blessing of Your people. Amen.
Action
Consider joining a godly bible-study group so that you may learn God’s ways together with likeminded and supportive people. Whenever possible, consider enrolling for some courses in a good theological school.
Dr Tan Kim Huat
Chen Su Lan Professor of New Testament
Trinity Theological College
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