Daniel 2:18-22 (NKJV) that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.
King Nebuchadnezzar made an unreasonable request of all his advisors, expecting them to share the answer to the secret of his dream, without revealing what the dream was. It was a dire situation where you either knew the answer or you would die.
It was Daniel and his friends’ relationships with God and their faith in Him that had set them apart. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, especially when hard-pressed. We need to remember that Daniel did not seek the face of God only when he was faced with an emergency. Instead, he knew God and had always honoured and loved Him. He acknowledged that God is the source of all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Thus, he heard and received from God the answer to the king’s dream. Daniel acted in confidence because he had a firm footing amid the crisis. His foundation was in God. Similarly, we all need a strong foundation in God.
How would we react if we were placed in a similar situation in the workplace? Would we abandon our faith in God because He has allowed the difficult situation? Would we curse God, complain, murmur, or even question His existence? Or would we pray, seek the Lord’s wisdom, and act on what we have heard?
We are subject to tribulations in this world. God allows trials, during which we may encounter difficult bosses like King Nebuchadnezzar. How can we be calm, composed, and full of faith amid a crisis? What would set us apart from our colleagues is our relationship with God.
James 1:5 (NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
In the above Scripture, God encourages us to seek Him for wisdom when we face trials. God promised us more than sufficient wisdom to help us through every circumstance. If we start in faith that this wisdom is available to us and believe that we will receive it when we ask Him, we will be able to apply that wisdom with confidence because we have heard from God, just like Daniel did. This faith and confidence arise from our close relationship with God.
Sermon Series： Promotion Comes From God
得着智慧的关键
但以理书 2:18-22 要他们祈求天上的神施怜悯，将这奥秘的事指明，免得但以理和他的同伴与巴比伦其余的哲士一同灭亡。这奥秘的事就在夜间异象中给但以理显明，但以理便称颂天上的神。但以理说：“神的名是应当称颂的，从亘古直到永远！因为智慧能力都属乎他。他改变时候、日期，废王、立王，将智慧赐予智慧人，将知识赐予聪明人。 他显明深奥隐秘的事，知道暗中所有的，光明也与他同居。
尼布甲尼撒王向所有谋士提出了无理要求—既要他们解梦，却不肯告知梦境内容。这成了生死攸关的危机：要么说出答案，要么面临死亡。
正是但以理与三位朋友和神的关系，以及他们对神的信心使他们与众不同。人在急难时所发的言语，往往显明内心的真实光景。需谨记：但以理并非仅在危急时才寻求神的面。相反，他素来认识神、尊崇神、爱慕神。他承认神是一切智慧、知识和聪明的源头。因此他得以从神领受王的异梦的讲解。但以理之所以能沉着应对，是因他在危机中有稳固的根基——这根基就是神。同样，我们每个人都需要在神里面建立坚固根基。
若在工作中遭遇类似处境，我们会如何反应？会因神允许困境临到而放弃信仰吗？会埋怨神、发怨言，甚至怀疑神的存在吗？抑或效法但以理：祷告寻求主的智慧，并遵行所领受的启示？
在世上有苦难，神允许试炼临到，有时我们会遇到像尼布甲尼撒王那样苛刻的上司。如何在危机中保持镇定、沉着并满有信心？使我们与同事分别出来的，正是我们与神的关系。
雅各书 1:5 你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人、也不斥责人的神，主就必赐给他。
这段经文鼓励我们在试炼中向神求智慧。神应许要赐下充足过人的智慧，帮助我们度过每个难关。只要我们凭信心相信这智慧必为我们存留，并确信祈求就必得着，就能像但以理一样带着从神而来的确信运用这智慧。这样的信心与把握，正是源于我们与神亲密的关系。
讲章系列：晋升在于神
Image Source：pixabay.com