19 “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.’”
2:19
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.
God revealed the whole panorama of Gentile dominion to Daniel. This period is otherwise known as “the time of the Gentiles” referred to by Jesus Christ. This period covers the time from Nebuchadnezzar to Christ’s Second Coming.
So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel received direct revelation both as to the content and the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. This is the only record of a dream being revealed to someone other than the person who originally received the dream. God revealed this “secret” to Daniel in direct answer to prayer.
2:20
Daniel answered and said:
Daniel now lifts a hymn of praise to God.
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.”
God’s “name” stands for His revealed character. This is more than a label or title. Daniel draws attention to two characteristics of God: His “wisdom” and His “might.”
PRINCIPLE:
God should get the credit for what God does.
APPLICATION:
Daniel did not relish the fact that God revealed the dream to him; rather, he rejoiced in the glory of God’s power to reveal it to him. He did not take the credit for what God did. It is God who controls the destiny of nations and the course of history. Sometimes we get carried away with our own importance. We should have no illusions about ourselves. If God chooses to use us, we must recognize that it is God doing the doing. That is why we give God the credit.
People who understand grace are relaxed because they understand where the glory belongs. Grace orientation produces a well-rounded person.