Strength Through Struggles: 2 Timothy

Have you ever been the target of a bully? In today’s passage, Daniel gets a dose of what a bully with clout can do. About two years have passed since Daniel and his friends were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar as teens. Now, something else occurs that places them in grave danger: Nebuchadnezzar has a distressing dream and demands that his “wise men†(magicians/sorcerers) explain it. The catch is, he doesn’t tell them what his dream was. He demands they first tell him what he dreamed, then give the interpretation (Daniel 2:8-9). Ouch!

The magicians plead with the king to tell them the dream, but Nebuchadnezzar is convinced that if he does, they will simply concoct a meaning. Naturally, they are at their wits’ end. “No one on earth can tell the king his dream!†they reply (verse 10). But Nebuchadnezzar is used to getting what he wants and believes he’s the most powerful guy in the world. He becomes enraged (i.e., throws a tantrum) and orders the execution of ALL wise men in the kingdom!

Unfortunately, this includes Daniel and his friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who were appointed royal advisors. When the captain, Arioch, arrives to execute Daniel, the Bible records that Daniel responded with “wisdom and discretion†(verse 14). Take note of Daniel’s actions: 1) He asks why the king ordered such a decree. 2) He goes to the king and requests more time; the king complies. 3) Daniel returns and asks his friends to pray and implore God to reveal the dream, because Daniel knows God is the One who really rules the world, not Nebuchadnezzar, and God is personally involved in the world He created.

That night God reveals the dream to Daniel in a vision. Talk about relief! Daniel hurries to Arioch; Arioch rushes Daniel to the king. After making it clear that God alone possesses the wisdom to reveal secrets, Daniel describes the king’s dream in detail, then interprets it (verse 31-45). In the end, Nebuchadnezzar is astounded and ecstatic. He says, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret†(verse 47). Nebuchadnezzar promotes Daniel as ruler over the province of Babylon and chief over the wise men—and gives glory to God! • G. Kam Congleton

• While Daniel responded to Nebuchadnezzar’s bullying with calmness, sometimes God calls us to respond to injustice differently. Why do you think God calls us to respond to different unjust situations in different ways? What questions do you have about this?

Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. Daniel 2:20 (NLT)

Read Verses:

2Tim.1.7-2Tim.1.14