Text: Daniel 2:24-30

Dear Brethren,

"A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO REVEALS SECRETS" Daniel 2:28
How would you introduce God to people who ask you about your faith? Would you speak of a great God of love? Would you speak of a God of great power? Daniel introduced the Lord, as "A God in heaven who reveals secrets" (Daniel 2:28).

God was very loving when He heard and answered Daniel's prayer. God showed His great power when He revealed the secret dream of Nebuchadnezzar. However, to Daniel, what really struck him was that God was One who revealed secrets from heaven! This understanding of God would become one of the main features of Daniel's relationship with the Lord.

A DEEP INTEREST IN PROPHETIC EVENTS
Are you interested in prophetic future events? Daniel was. His interest was not idle curiosity at all. He believed that it was good and right to know what God said about the future.

Many are only concerned about the present. They express little or no interest at all; about the future. "The future is for the next generation"- so some contend. They are just not interested in learning about God's plan for the future. A sad outlook of life!

Daniel gives us a tremendous example of what it means to be deeply concerned about future, or prophetic events. Why was he interested?

1. Daniel was a person who loved knowledge. He did well in all the exams he had to take. He was found to be ten times better than all his classmates (Daniel 1:20).

2. He was interested in the future, because he was interested in God's will or plan for the future.

3. He was interested in the future because it enabled him to know God better. God would become his teacher. He would prove himself to be an apt pupil.

4. Of course, he had to do his part in trying to comprehend what God said. It would mean effort. It would be mean concentration. It would also mean that he must set aside time to pray and seek God earnestly. Daniel was prepared to do all the above, and thus God loved him dearly for his spirit and his attitude. God called Daniel by a special term, " greatly beloved" (Daniel 9:23).

A LOVE FOR GOD'S WORD
Can we speak of having a love for deep truths? We are never too young to cultivate a love for deep things. We are never too young to cultivate a love for God's Word.

Daniel was but a young lad when he began to cultivate a love for knowledge. In time to come, he would become a brilliant scholar. This is the challenge that you would do well to consider. Would you pray for a deep love for knowledge, and especially, a great heart of love for God's Word. You too can become "greatly beloved" of God.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 1st April 2001, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore