Have you ever been in a situation where you felt completely out of control? Maybe you’ve struggled with unexplained health issues or an unexpected loss. Perhaps you’re facing an unresolved conflict or unmanageable financial troubles.
Any number of things can knock the feet out from under us, leaving us reeling and wondering if God is there, if He even cares. But as believers, we can take comfort in knowing God is always in control, no matter what the circumstances.
In the second chapter of Daniel, we read about an unexplained dream followed by an unexpected order that left Daniel and his friends facing execution (Daniel 2:1–13). I don’t know about you, but if I were Daniel I would have been frantically looking for the quickest way outta dodge! But Daniel does not give in to panic or the urge to control his situation. Rather, he displayed wisdom and tact as he approached the king to ask him for time that he might interpret the dream (v.15–16).
What does Daniel do next? Does he consult every dream interpretation book he can get his hands on? Does he conspire with the other wise men to come up with an explanation that sounds legit? Does he pace and worry? No. He prays, and he asks his friends to pray with him.
“[Daniel] 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” (Dan. 2:18). Our crises do not make us who we are, but rather reveal who we truly are at the deepest level. Daniel knew, unlike the Babylonian wise men, that true revelation comes from God. It is not an achievement of man.
God turns unexpected conflicts into opportunities to display His sovereignty and faithfulness.
Daniel is then brought before King Nebuchadnezzar to offer his interpretation of the dream. He continues to display a spirit of humility and praise in this predicament by giving God the glory. “Daniel replied, ‘No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries’” (Dan. 2:27–28, emphasis mine).
Often we feel justified in taking the credit for solving our problems. How easy it is to dismiss God when things are going smoothly, to begin to feel capable, independent, even prideful. But Daniel’s example is one we should all strive to follow.
Daniel knew there was nothing he could do, nor any wisdom he possessed that could get him out of this scrape (v. 30)—it was God alone. The Psalmist says, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:2), and again, “The Lord is with me; He is my helper” (Ps. 118:7).
Interestingly enough, as Daniel interprets the king’s dream we get a broader view of the gradual “devolution” of man’s control on the earth. In the dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw “a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance” (v.31). Its head was made of pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs bronze, its legs of iron and its feet a mixture of iron and clay (v.32–33).
Nebuchadnezzar and his dominion were the head of gold, an absolute monarchy. After his rule, each subsequent kingdom is more inferior than the last with the final kingdom—the feet of iron and clay—being divided. Scripture says its people will not remain united (v. 36–43).
Sometimes as believers we mistakenly believe that it’s up to us to change the world. We are called to preach the good news of salvation through Christ and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:16–20), but this does not mean the church is spearheading the “gradual salvation” of the world.
At the end of the dream, “a rock cut out, but not by human hands” smashes the feet of clay, obliterating the statue so that it crumbles and is “swept away without a trace” (Dan. 2:34–35). William G. Heslop writes, “Smashing is not salvation. Crushing is not conversion. Destroying is not delivering nor is pulverizing the same as purification.”
“But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth” (Dan. 2:35). In the end, the “image” of man’s strength in this world will be crushed, but God’s kingdom will endure forever! The rock, that is Christ, offers us strength. Peace. Comfort. Jesus is our matchless King: “…the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Ps. 29:10, 11).
Whatever you’re facing today, whatever situation you find yourself in, however out of control you may feel, cling to this truth: God is always in control! Cling to it so that we might cry as Nebuchadnezzar did, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings…” (Dan. 2:47). He is Lord and there is no other!
Thank You, Lord, that You are God and there is no other! Thank You for the assurance of Your sovereignty, even in our most difficult times. May Your peace, comfort, and strength surround us today as we trust in You. Help us relinquish control into Your capable hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- What situation or circumstance in your life has you grasping for control? Give it to the Lord in prayer.
- Who are some godly friends you can ask to pray with you through your struggles? Will you reach out to them today?
- How can you glorify God in the midst of your situation?