When The King Could Not Sleep
Henry Omotayo
When The King Could Not Sleep (Daniel 2:1-49)
Message No. 0491 | Twitter @GodandUs |
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I’ve never met anyone who, after saying good morning to each other, told me that last night was very pleasant because he or she was unable to sleep. Insomnia is a terrible disease, the treatment of which (we all remember) resulted in the death of one popular singer, many years ago. God created the night for rest, sleep and recouping of strength, energy and composure. If you lose sleep for any reason, you are pained and disoriented and your output during the following day may be weak and flawed.
When the ordinary man is unable to sleep, he is unhappy, but when a king is unable to sleep, it is even worse; he is angry. So it was, in Daniel chapter 2, when king Nebuchadnezzar dreamed and could not even remember his dream, let alone the interpretation thereof. The Bible says that he gave the commandment to call all the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and the Chaldeans of his kingdom to tell him his dream and the interpretation, else, they would all be put to death. This was like going to the pharmacist and telling him or her: the doctor prescribed a drug for me to buy, I have lost the prescription but I need you to figure out which drug was prescribed and bring it out so I may pay and go home. This request was clearly above the pay grade of the magicians!
So, why would a king request his subjects to produce something that was clearly impossible? It’s because God was about to promote somebody. When God ‘cooks up’ a problem that only you could resolve, the kings of this world would look for you urgently. By the grace of Almighty God, this year and decade, our Lord will cook up problems that only you can resolve! As the king’s messenger was preparing to execute the magicians and astrologers of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, Daniel (who was not previously consulted) was informed, so he also (being one of the wise men) could get ready to be executed. Hearing this, Daniel asked the king for time to pray and seek God’s face. In Daniel 2:19, the Bible says the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.
Being able to figure out the king’s dream and interpret it was a great thing, but God’s target was the promotion of His children. God was not about to let the matter go, just like that. If you have been working hard and providing solutions to difficult problems but have not been rewarded for your efforts, our God is about to promote you this year. In the name of Jesus, your efforts will no longer be forgotten! Look at what God caused the king to reward Daniel. In chapter 2 verses 46-49, the Bible says
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
In Genesis chapter 41, God was ready to promote Joseph, so He gave troubling dreams to Pharaoh, which none of the wise men in Egypt could interpret except Joseph, a stranger and prisoner. By the time God finished, Joseph, against all odds, became prime minister of Egypt, transitioning from prison to the palace, all in one day. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are about to be catapulted to a position you do not qualify for, and, just as no opposition could stop Daniel and Joseph from being promoted, no one will be able to stop yours.
You may be wondering; do I have to be able to interpret dreams like Daniel and Joseph for me to receive my own breakthrough? No, you don’t. In Esther chapter 6, God took sleep away from king Ahasuerus, just so he could open the book of remembrance and discover that Mordecai was due for a reward for saving the king’s life in the past. Like many people may have experienced, Mordecai rendered a very important, life-saving service to the king, but he was quickly forgotten because he was ‘nobody.’ However, to God, Mordecai was somebody, so God troubled the king until he was openly and flamboyantly rewarded. As God did not let Mordecai’s service to go unnoticed, your own service will not go unnoticed also.
Looking at the lives of the biblical figures cited in this message, we see that none of them was interested in eyeservice. They all genuinely worked hard even when there was no apparent reward coming their ways. As children of God, let us continue to play our roles, doing our jobs with our whole hearts and holding back nothing. We may think that no one is noticing us, but God is, and very soon, He will create situations that will lead to our rewards. Have a wonderful week and may God bless you!
PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
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