DANIEL 2:46-49 GLIMPSES OF GOD

Written by , Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
 

⁴⁶ Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. ⁴⁷ The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
⁴⁸ Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. ⁴⁹ Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

A glimpse of the divine cannot leave the observer unaffected. Even the great king Nebuchadnezzar is brought figuratively to his knees by the word of God delivered by his dream and its interpretation by Daniel. There is One who is greater than any earthly power and according to his sovereign will has communicated a vision of the future to the king. Thus, God provides doorways to faith to both the mighty and the powerless of the world.

There are phenomena and events that we encounter in our lives that have a profound, if but momentary effect on us. Whether they are as simple as a brilliant full moon on a silent, snow-covered landscape or as intricate as the birth of a child and her first cry, these encounters cause us to pause and reflect on the gift that is life, and perhaps even acknowledge and praise that there is a Giver. There is no question that we experience such awe. The only question is whether the experience results in a fundamental change or only a fleeting emotion.

At these moments of awe we enter the presence of God and become subject to his transforming power. We become like the Pevensie children when they enter Narnia through the wardrobe in C.S. Lewis’ novel, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lucy’s response is one of awe and wonder that results in a desire to participate in the drama and somehow help the beleaguered inhabitants. In contrast, Edmund in his awe and wonder turns in on himself and seeks to use the experience to exalt himself. Likewise, in the Book of Acts, we read about the effect on people of the miracles worked through the Apostles. For some it was an irresistible opportunity to join in following Jesus. Yet others, like Simon the Magician, saw it as an opportunity to access more power (Acts 8:18-19).

Our God does not sleep, but is working around us in little ways and great all the time. Pray that you will catch a glimpse of his hand at work every day. Pray, also, that you will be ready not just to play lip-service to God, but to be permanently transformed by that encounter into one whose entire life is a song of praise.

Open my heart, O Lord, to receive the “visions” of you that you send me every day. Soften my heart. O Lord, that I may be ready not just to receive but to be transformed by them. Strengthen my heart, O Lord, that I might be faithful in living a life that announces and demonstrates your glory to the world. Amen.

Attachment	Size
Download and Print This Devotion	98.36 KB