"....He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart." (Daniel 2:29, 30)
How wonderful our God, One Who, "reveals secrets...for our sakes." In fact, I believe we could say that everything our Lord Jesus Christ does is, "for our sakes."
There are two things in today's text which I would like to emphasize. First, take particular note of Daniel's humility, "....This secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living...." Daniel acknowledges that his "ministry gift" is not something that comes from his unique prowess, but from Him, "who reveals secrets," i.e., our Lord Jesus Christ. This should keep any person, whether in the Church or not, in a very humble mode. It is the Biblical principle that any and everything a person has is a gift from the Lord God. "What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it.., why do you boast as if you had not received [but had gained it by your own efforts]?" (1 Corinthians 4, Amplified Bible)
Secondly, the purpose of the revelation is to save Daniel and his friends. If Daniel could not interpret the king's dream, he was a dead man, and so were his friends. He tells the king, therefore, that it was, "for our sakes," God gave Daniel the interpretation. Now there are many translations of this phrase, e.g., the NASB says, "....for the purpose of...." The NIV says, "so your majesty may know." There may have been other "reasons" for the revelation, but the Bible confirms that God's priority for the Believers, the Followers of Jesus, the People who hear and obey and love Him is, "for our sakes." This is true of His First Appearing. This was/is true of His, as Peter told Cornelius, "....going about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil...." The Cross is, "for our sakes." His Second Appearing is, "for our sakes." And it is, "for our sakes...I go to prepare a place for you."
Whatever your day has been like, Jesus is working in you and me, around you and me, and for you and me, "for our sakes." Do not be discouraged. No matter the "unanswered" prayers, perhaps the rejection of friends and family because of your loyalty to Jesus, remember: "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes" (Malachi 3:11). "For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God" (1 Cor.4:15). For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). You and I are very well "covered."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You love me, have mercy on me, and keep me, "for our sakes." Amen.
How wonderful our God, One Who, "reveals secrets...for our sakes." In fact, I believe we could say that everything our Lord Jesus Christ does is, "for our sakes."
There are two things in today's text which I would like to emphasize. First, take particular note of Daniel's humility, "....This secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living...." Daniel acknowledges that his "ministry gift" is not something that comes from his unique prowess, but from Him, "who reveals secrets," i.e., our Lord Jesus Christ. This should keep any person, whether in the Church or not, in a very humble mode. It is the Biblical principle that any and everything a person has is a gift from the Lord God. "What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it.., why do you boast as if you had not received [but had gained it by your own efforts]?" (1 Corinthians 4, Amplified Bible)
Secondly, the purpose of the revelation is to save Daniel and his friends. If Daniel could not interpret the king's dream, he was a dead man, and so were his friends. He tells the king, therefore, that it was, "for our sakes," God gave Daniel the interpretation. Now there are many translations of this phrase, e.g., the NASB says, "....for the purpose of...." The NIV says, "so your majesty may know." There may have been other "reasons" for the revelation, but the Bible confirms that God's priority for the Believers, the Followers of Jesus, the People who hear and obey and love Him is, "for our sakes." This is true of His First Appearing. This was/is true of His, as Peter told Cornelius, "....going about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil...." The Cross is, "for our sakes." His Second Appearing is, "for our sakes." And it is, "for our sakes...I go to prepare a place for you."
Whatever your day has been like, Jesus is working in you and me, around you and me, and for you and me, "for our sakes." Do not be discouraged. No matter the "unanswered" prayers, perhaps the rejection of friends and family because of your loyalty to Jesus, remember: "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes" (Malachi 3:11). "For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God" (1 Cor.4:15). For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). You and I are very well "covered."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You love me, have mercy on me, and keep me, "for our sakes." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
