Observation: Early in Daniel's service to the king, Nebuchadnezzar demands interpretation of a disturbing dream is has had. However, he goes beyond just seeking interpretation; he actually requires the wise men to know what the dream is without him telling them. This act, therefore, goes far beyond just a wise understanding, or some psychological allegory or metaphorical interpretation ... and even the wise men know it. The wise men respond that what the king asks is unreasonable and even impossible, and that the only way this can be done is by "the gods". No human can meet the king's request. Nevertheless, Nebuchadnezzar proceeds with his demand, even declaring he will have the wise men killed for their failure.
The words of the wise men, however, are actually completely truthful. They have spoken wisely and honestly when they said that they cannot reasonably use their wisdom to respond to the king, and that only God could know the answer. Of course, God does know the answer, and he will reveal it to Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar's rejection of their completely true and accurate council provides insight into the real issue here. Nebuchadnezzar does desire an understanding of his dream, but what is really stirring him to sleeplessness and now action is ... he is seeking to discover God, and struggling to reconcile that emptiness.
Yes, Nebuchadnezzar's ask is unreasonable and he has been counseled as such. Yet he persists, knowing that the only explanation for success will be to discover something about the nature of the true God. He doesn't even yet know what or who that God is! He himself is not praying to any being. However, he has something bothering him deep inside, and has created a scenario whereby the only outcome is either a revelation about the divine, or despair. Daniel will bring the divine revelation, and Nebuchadnezzar will at first not understand it (creating a giant idol to be worshipped), but that only means Nebuchadnezzar applies the wrong context to his first encounter with the one true God. He does, in fact, have the Lord revealed to him, and it begins to change him.
Application: I am confident in this fact when it comes to the extremely lost and broken people in the world today ... they actually know they have a giant hole in their lives, and they keep seeking something to fill it. Unfortunately, they have chosen many earthly concepts. However, every once in a while, I see someone with absolutely no faith at all, but can tell they are trying to figure out if there is a 'divine' to fill their lives.
I hope we meet a lot of people like this over the next 30 days. I hope there are people who come to our Christmas lights show who can feel they have something missing - it's keeping them up at night, and they hope it is filled even though they can't explain how they feel but they know it can only be filled by something beyond their earthly understanding - and they discover the Lord. Sure, they may misunderstand who and what the Lord is at first, and misapply him to their lives, but it will be a start. It will be an encounter that leads to more.
Prayer: Lord, I do pray this. Please bring divine appointments to the Christmas lights. May this be a harvest time unlike even other years. Bring those who know they have a hole that isn't being filled by any of their earthly quests and ideals and pursuits, and give us your wisdom to simply reveal you to them. Amen.
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