Read Daniel 2

There are a couple things that will make me not sleep. If I take a nap during the day or if I drink caffeine after 5pm, I’m wired all night. Or if there is something bothering me, a conversation didn’t go well, there is something wrong with my wife or sons, that will keep me up.

In Daniel 2, we find King Nebuchadnezzar had insomnia stemming from a dream that he couldn’t get out of his head. He called in his magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers, and demanded that they tell him what the dream was and the meaning. They couldn’t. Nebuchadnezzar threatened to tear them limb from limb. Soon all of the advisers and leaders were given pink slips. Only they were not only losing their jobs, they were losing their lives. In a desperate plea, those who were supposed to have a direct line to God said this, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

And there it was. They were all frauds. Their credentials as one who could summon the gods to answer them were immediately seen for what they were: false.

When the executioner stopped by Daniel’s office to let him know the news, Daniel asked for some time, which he received. Daniel gathered his buddies Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah together for a prayer meeting and asked God to reveal to Daniel what the dream was and its interpretation. God answered. Remember, Daniel’s God, Yahweh,  was made out to be a loser as Nebuchadnezzar and his gods took over the world. Here once again, the God of the universe intervened and chose to reveal himself through his people.

I think we forget that. We forget that God still answers prayer. Daniel and his friends didn’t find the answer by calling together a strategic planning meeting on how to convince the king he is crazy for his quest. They didn’t figure out a way to escape the king. They simply trusted that God was in control and he really does hear the prayer of his people. And nothing is too difficult for him.

The next time you find yourself in a quandary that keeps you up at night. Roll out of bed and hit your knees and seek the one who has it all under control. What better option do you have? Besides—you are up anyway.