危機中的信心 Faith in Crisis

但以理書 第2章 

Cathy Chen, 08-19-25

昨天的進度以戲劇性的張力展開：尼布甲尼撒王因為召來的術士無法說出他的夢境而震怒，下令誅殺他們以及所有巴比倫的哲士。我們很容易將焦點放在他的殘暴，但若回顧第一章就能看見他另一面。這位王曾命人從以色列被擄的貴族子弟中，揀選聰明、有才幹、能在王宮服事的年輕人，並給他們三年時間受訓，還賜他們飲用王的膳食與酒，但以理就是其中一位。由此可見，尼布甲尼撒也是一位愛惜人才的君王。這是但以理與王的第一次交會。

到了第二章，尼布甲尼撒王從一場驚心動魄的夢中醒來後心神不寧，夜不能寐。焦慮之下他召來巴比倫的智者，那些自稱能通曉天地奧秘的人來指點迷津。尼布甲尼撒縱明白自身有限，但他並不天真，他要求他們不僅要解夢，更要先說出夢的內容。這是他對這些高人所設下的考驗，要揭露他們是否真有本事，否則他們的解方必然是無效的欺君犯上。迦勒底人明白這要求根本不可能，便直言世上沒有人能做到。這等於暗示王的處理方式不合理，激怒了尼布甲尼撒達屠殺令，但以理和同伴因此陷入生死存亡之中。

危急時刻，但以理同樣感受到未知帶來的焦慮，卻選擇了完全不同的回應。尼布甲尼撒倚靠他多年栽培的專業人士，並設立賞罰制度，這是世界的運作原則 - 尋求各種資源和制度來規劃出路。而但以理卻選擇轉向神來尋求他的出路。他召聚三位同伴（17節），一同懇求神的憐憫，這表明他非常理解自己作為神的孩子的身份和權柄，也明白神「憐憫」的屬性。他求神顯明奧秘，表明了他相信神在靈界的大能權柄。出於恩典，神在當夜就在異象中將夢境與解釋都啟示給但以理。

得到啟示後，但以理立刻轉向敬拜讚美神，承認唯有祂掌管列國君王的權柄，唯有祂能顯明深奧隱密之事。他謙卑降服，承認自己的智慧全然出於神（20–23、29節），不是出於自己。他的信心在那一夜蒙神豐富的回應，而他唯一能回應神的，就是全心全意的讚美。這不正是我們每一位信徒與神同行的縮影嗎？

心得：

當人真實遇見永生的神，心境與行為會產生實質的轉變。強大的巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒在夢境得到解說後，他震憾於但以理的神是真神而謙卑腑伏下拜說：「你既能顯明這奧祕的事，你們的神誠然是萬神之神，萬王之主，又是顯明奧祕事的」（2:47）。這位強大的君王成為又真又活的真神的見證；而身為猶大被擄的没落王孫但以理，不但没有怨天尤人或自暴自棄，相反的，他深知神的權能，以信心在高山低谷中一步一步走出屬神子民的生命見證。得寵而進入巴比倫宮中後，也不因外在壓力向世俗權貴妥協。他立志保持聖潔，不被王的飲食玷污（1:8）；他面對危機的反應有別於世人，且不單只為自己，還顧念同伴與其他哲士的安危（2:24）。站在殘暴的君王面前始終沉著謙卑，不因擁有真理而驕傲冒失。這樣的生命是我所渴慕且效法的。

祈禱：

親愛的天父，

感謝祢藉著但以理書第二章提醒我們，祢是掌管歷史、顯明奧祕的真神。祢是那位「改變時候日期、廢王立王」的主，萬國君王的權柄都在祢的手中。當尼布甲尼撒王因夢境而惶恐不安時，我看見無論一個人有多受敬重，握多大的權勢，人都會有軟弱的時候；求祢使我常存敬畏的心，承認一切智慧與能力都來自祢，祢是滿有憐憫、樂意啟示的神。

主啊，我也承認自己在困境和焦慮中，常像世人一樣，不是數算前人他人的過失，就是急著依靠人的方法與制度和自己的聰明，而忽略了先安靜來到祢面前。求祢幫助我學像但以理，在日常生活的小事上分別為聖，不隨波逐流。並且與弟兄姊妹一同禱告，等候祢的憐憫與帶領。逆境時尋求並讚美祢；順境時也不因暗中得著啟示就驕傲冒失。願我能不單顧自己，也能顧念他人。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

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Devotion on Daniel 2

By Cathy Chen, 08-19-25

Faith in Crisis

Yesterday’s narrative unfolded with dramatic tension: King Nebuchadnezzar, enraged that the summoned magicians could not recount his dream, issued a decree to execute them along with all the wise men of Babylon. It’s easy to focus on his cruelty, but a glance back at chapter one reveals another side of him. This king had once selected young men from the nobility of Israel, taken into exile, who were intelligent, capable, and able to serve in the royal court. He gave them three years of training, provided them with royal food and wine—and Daniel was among them. This shows that Nebuchadnezzar was also a ruler who valued talent. This was Daniel’s first encounter with the king.

In chapter two, after awakening from a troubling dream, Nebuchadnezzar was restless and could not sleep. In his anxiety, he summoned the wise men of Babylon, those who claimed to understand the secrets of heaven and earth, to interpret it. Though the king knew his own limitations, he was not naive; he demanded that they not only interpret the dream but also recount its content first. This was a test to reveal whether they truly had the ability; otherwise, their answer would be mere flattery or rebellion. The Chaldeans recognized the impossibility of this demand and plainly stated that no one could do it. Their honesty, however, implied criticism of the king’s approach and enraged him further, putting Daniel and his companions in mortal danger.

Different Response in Times of Crisis

In that critical moment, Daniel felt the same anxiety brought by the unknown, yet he chose a completely different response. Nebuchadnezzar relied on trained professionals and established a system of rewards and punishments—this is the way the world works: seeking resources and structures to find a solution. Daniel, however, turned to God for the answer. He gathered three companions (v.17) and earnestly prayed for God’s mercy. This demonstrates that he fully understood his identity and authority as God’s child, and that he knew God’s merciful nature. He asked God to reveal the mystery, expressing his trust in God’s sovereign power over the spiritual realm. By grace, God revealed both the dream and its interpretation to Daniel that very night.

Upon receiving the revelation, Daniel immediately turned to worship and praise God, acknowledging that only He controls the authority of kings and only He can reveal deep and hidden things. He humbled himself, recognizing that all wisdom came from God (vv.20–23, 29), not from himself. That night, God richly rewarded Daniel’s faith, and his only proper response was wholehearted praise. Isn’t this a microcosm of every believer’s walk with God?

Reflection

When people truly encounter the living God, their hearts and actions are transformed. The powerful Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, humbled himself upon hearing the interpretation of his dream, saying,

“Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries” (2:47).

This mighty king became a witness to the true and living God. Daniel, though a captive prince of Judah, did not complain or despair. Instead, he trusted in God’s power, walking step by step in faith through highs and lows, maintaining his testimony as God’s servant. After being brought into the Babylonian court, he did not compromise under external pressure. He committed to holiness, refusing to defile himself with the king’s food (1:8). His response to crisis differed from the world’s, and he cared not only for himself but also for his companions and other wise men (2:24). Standing before a cruel king, he remained composed and humble, never proud or reckless despite possessing truth. This is a life I long to emulate.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for reminding us through Daniel 2 that You are the God who governs history and reveals mysteries. You are the One who “changes times and dates, deposes kings and raises up kings”; the authority of all earthly rulers is in Your hands. When King Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by his dream, I saw that no matter how respected or powerful a person is, weakness can come. Help me to maintain a heart of reverence, acknowledging that all wisdom and strength come from You, the merciful God who delights in revealing truth.

Lord, I also acknowledge that in times of anxiety and difficulty, I often behave like the world—calculating others’ faults, relying on human methods, systems, or my own intelligence, and forgetting to come quietly before You. Help me to follow Daniel’s example, setting myself apart in daily life, not going with the flow, and praying with brothers and sisters as we wait for Your mercy and guidance. May I seek and praise You in adversity, and may I not grow proud or reckless in success. May my care extend beyond myself to others as well.

In Jesus Christ’s name I Pray, Amen.