top of page

DANIEL’S ATTRIBUTES MADE WAYS FOR HIM

Writer's picture: Olufunmilayo AdekusibeOlufunmilayo Adekusibe
 

Today’s Reading:

Daniel2:24-49

“Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon”  (v. 49)

 


The wise King Solomon in his book of “Proverbs”, affirms that a man’s gift (which includes attributes, and qualities) makes room for him, and brings him before great men (Prov. 18:16). God seeks out people whom He can trust and vow for their attributes and abilities, to be used to achieve specific purposes, especially in glorifying him, in giving his messages, for deliverance, to rule, and so on. These choices by God are made irrespective of culture, race, circumstances, location or position.


One of God’s choices of old was Daniel. In Dan.1:6, Daniel was said to have been one of three young men who had been brought to Babylon as captives from Israel by King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel qualified to be selected to serve in the king’s palace based on V4 -“young men in whom there was no blemish, but good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessions, knowledge and quick to understand and who could serve”. Aside from this broad qualification, God had decided to use Daniel to glorify himself even in the land of captivity, using Daniel’s attributes. When the king had a disturbing dream, and called his wise men, astrologers, magicians and soothsayers to tell and interpret the dream, they could not. The king then ordered all of them to be killed (V11). This became an opportunity for God to be glorified through Daniel, whom he gave the dream and interpretation through a vision (Daniel 2:14-19).

Now, let’s follow the step-by-step through which Daniel’s attributes were portrayed and which resulted in making ways for him:

  • Counsel and wisdom from God. Through God’s counsel and wisdom given to Daniel, he was able to persuade the captain of the king’s guard to allow him to ask the king for time, which he got. This helped him, together with his three other young male Jews, to seek God in prayer for interpretation of the dream. Unselfish, he carried along his companions and eventually saved their lives too.

  • Focusing on God alone and asking for mercies, yielded answers to Daniel from God.

  • Heart of gratitude. Daniel graciously expressed thanks and praises to God (Vs 20-23) for the vision of the dream and the interpretation given to him.

  • Humility and eulogizing God: In V28 of Today’s reading, in humility before God and the King, Daniel eulogized God as the God in heaven who reveals secrets. This was later in Vs 46-47 confirmed by the ungodly King, who prostrated before Daniel and face down, declared that Daniel’s God was the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and the revealer of secrets.

  • Humility Personified. Daniel never, at any point, took or shared in God’s glory, either before or after presenting the revealed dream and interpretation to the king. In V30, he said to the king that the secret was not revealed to him because he had more wisdom than anyone living, but for the sake of his companions, and the king so he might know the thought of his heart.

  • Trust and fear of God. Based on his trust and fear of God, Daniel didn’t add or subtract from the vision and interpretation God gave him for the king. In V45, he confirmed that the dream was certain, and its interpretation was sure.

  • Not self-centred and unselfish: Daniel was able to ensure that the lives of his 3 Jew companions and all the Babylonian wise men, astrologers, etc were spared and saved.

  • Others-centered and humble: In V49, Daniel petitioned the king and he set his three Jew companions over the affairs of the providence of Babylon. But Daniel himself sat in the gate/court of the king.


It is no wonder that with the above attributes owned and displayed by Daniel, the king in V48, promoted him, gave him many great gifts made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and was chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. No doubt, Daniel’s attributes made way for him. God also rewarded him for glorifying him in a land of unbelievers and captivity. You too can do the same, using your God-given attributes.

                                                                                    CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI   


 

            

To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sins against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord.”.  Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.


 

Prayer:

  1. Father, we appreciate You for the numerous attributes with which You endow mankind.

  2. Lord, lead us to identify and work hard in using our God-given attributes, especially for the good of others and to glorify him.

  3. Father, teach each one to acquire other attributes that are needed to achieve our purposes within the body of Christ.

  4. Lord, direct the hearts of our nation’s leaders to harness their God-given attributes, to develop and move the nation to great heights.


18 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page