“Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, for wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons, removes kings and sets up kings. He reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:20-23)
King Nebuchadnezzar had demanded that his magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers tell him the dream he dreamed and its interpretation or they would be “torn limb from limb.” They were terrified, for who can tell another man his dreams? But Daniel, now among the court wise men, urged his companions to ask God for mercy concerning this mystery so that they would not all perish. In a vision that night, God revealed all to Daniel, who responded with the words above.
We find ourselves, certainly now but also at many other times, feeling helpless and even hopeless in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Sometimes it feels like we can’t breathe, and we just want to throw up our hands and shout, “What do you want me to do?!” Daniel gives us the answer. We remember that the God of the Universe, who has power beyond imagining, wants the best for us, wants to love us, and IS present with us. We can ask him for mercy and seek his assistance, knowing that, every time, he will be with us in our trials.
Holy Father, you have sacrificed your Son so that we may be reconciled to you—you love us that much. Help us to keep our focus on our relationship with you, that we may experience the peace Jesus said he gives to each of us. Praise you, God, for your honor and power and glory. Amen.