To God Be the Glory: Daniel 2:25-30

God deserves the praise, for He is the one who makes all things great.  God created the world.  God created you and me.  What good resides within us is there because God breathed it into us.  He is an amazing God, worthy of glory.

Nebuchadnezzar calls Daniel into his chambers.  Nebuchadnezzar must have had high expectations.  Nebuchadnezzar prompts Daniel to prove he can do what he claims.

Daniel’s response is perfect.  He tells Nebuchadnezzar the request is impossible for human beings.  Daniel then says the task is not impossible for his God.  Daniel gives credit where credit is due.  Daniel is about to save the lives of all the wise men in Babylon, but Daniel makes it clear the ability to save comes from God.

Daniel makes God known.  Daniel professes God to this Chaldean who worships the Chaldean pantheon.  Daniel wants Nebuchadnezzar to know there are other options than the gods he knows.

Daniel also deflects any praise coming his way.  Daniel knows Nebuchadnezzar will be impressed at the feat.  Daniel wants Nebuchadnezzar to know he is merely the mouthpiece.  The glory of the act belongs to God.  God reveals mysteries to us.

God is the one in control.  He brought these dreams to Nebuchadnezzar.  God troubled his sleep.  God gave Nebuchadnezzar the plan to make the wise men tell him the dream prior to giving the interpretation.  God set Daniel up for this moment and Daniel is faithful enough to step out of God’s spotlight.  God opened the door for Daniel so Daniel could walk into this scenario and proclaim God to Nebuchadnezzar.

How easy would it have been for Daniel to take the credit?  How easy would it have been for Daniel to allow Nebuchadnezzar to focus on him rather than God?  How easy would it have been for Daniel to desire to be raised up above the other wise men in the land and steal God’s moment?

Daniel is not about stealing God’s glory.  Daniel is a spiritual leader who leads by following.  This is God’s moment; Daniel is here to ensure the moment belongs to God.

There is a high level of challenge present here.  To give full disclosure, I love praise.  I love recognition.  I don’t particularly enjoy praise and recognition in front of large crowds, but I truly enjoy being recognized by the people with whom I have relationship.  I would guess this is true for most of us.  We all have different times and places we enjoy recognition, but we all enjoy it when it comes in a way fit for us.

The question I’m left to ponder, though, is how do I receive recognition when it comes?  Do I receive it with pride?  Does it cause my ego to swell?  Or like Daniel, do I point to God and let the glory pass over me and onto Him?  God deserves the praise, for He is the one who makes all things great.