Series: Resilience  
Message: Trust  
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
 
Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 5:7-12.
 
Read: Daniel 2 - As you read in the ESV translation, note 1-3 insights/questions that arise.
 

Reflect: As you may have picked up from the previous chapter, God had blessed Daniel in his determination to remain faithful. So that the steward was willing to risk the diet change (1:11) and the King was so impressed with Daniel and his friends that they graduated top of their class (1:19). Yet both of these results were because of God (1:9 and 1:17). Now that we are in Daniel chapter 2, you start to grasp that the faith of Daniel, his trust in God, is built on experience as well. In the book Prophets and Kings, p. 486, Ellen White shares this life insight, when Daniel faces an opportunity.

"True success in any line of work is not the result of change or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God's providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.”

It was going to be 40 years before Daniel would have his own vision. Yet, Daniel knew that God could be trusted with his life, even in the midst of chaos, while in exile. His prayer for understanding and wisdom was based on a deep and long history of men and women living by faith. In Daniel 2:22 he quotes Psalms 139:12. There is nothing hidden from God. James the brother of Jesus was later to remind us that we must ask God for wisdom (James 1:2-5).
 
Recalibrate:

1. What unexpected risky opportunity have you taken in life that led to success?
2. What risk is Jesus asking you to take in your life?
3. Can you share a dream you have had which left you perplexed or happy?

 
Respond: Pray for the open door today.
 
Research: Google “top 10 verses on trusting God.”  Read the story of Esther.