Title: With a Little Help from His Friends/Topic: Humility and Counsel

Today’s Reading: Daniel 1; Daniel 2; Revelation 16

Scripture: Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:17-19, 23
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Observation: Daniel has the gift of interpreting dreams and visions, but he understands that he cannot function in his giftings alone. He demonstrates the same understanding that Paul speaks of in the book of 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul explains to us that we are all parts of the same Body and that none of us can function properly independently of the other members of the Body. Daniel seeks the prayers of his friends and gives them credit for the answer being given to him. Daniel shows wonderful humility in seeking the counsel and support of others and also in giving God and his friends credit for his success. He does not allow himself to become arrogant when God does miraculous work through him.

Application: Oh that we all would take this lesson to heart and seek the counsel of other wise people in the church when we are facing big decisions or tough circumstances! Our American culture is one that honors the “self-made man” and reveres individuality and independence. It makes it more difficult for American Christians to learn to embrace the wisdom and humility shown by Daniel in these passages. We would save ourselves much grief if we would learn to function under the wise counsel of godly people that God has put in our lives.

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the many wise people you have put into my life over the years to help me make good decisions. I also thank you for dear, godly friends who support me in prayer. May I be the same kind of support to others when they need prayer and counsel. Help me to grow in wisdom and to always function under godly authority.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.