16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and ASKED FOR TIME, so that he might interpret the dream for him. Daniel 2
16 So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him A GRACE PERIOD, so that he might declare the interpretation to the king. Daniel 2, NASB
God was behind what was happening in the king’s palace in Babylon, but no-one knew it. Nebuchadnezzar had dreams which troubled him. Some of the dreams in the Book of Daniel were very powerful and caused great dismay to those involved. Daniel then found out from Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, why the order had been issued to kill all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel and his three friends were very gifted individuals, but even they needed a ‘Grace Period’ to seek God’s help.
The fact is that God often initiates events without telling anyone! We may be caught off guard and thrown into a tailspin by the unexpected but we should and seek God’s advice. It’s very easy to react quickly to something unexpected but we should resist the urge to do so. Even the briefest prayer for guidance will enlist God’s help.
I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’
4 The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’
THEN I PRAYED TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN, 5 and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favour in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.’ Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah was in the presence of King Artaxerxes, but he whispered a quick prayer for God to help to begin the return of the Jews from Babylon to the land of Judah.
Daniel and Nehemiah both received help from God when they asked Him and so can we, if we’ll JUST PAUSE AND INVITE HIM INTO OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
2 … You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. John 4
The Lord Himself tells us to ask so we can receive, an important lesson for the days we live in.
God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.