Text: Daniel 2:20-23

Dear Brethren,

INCREASING IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Did you have a wonderful time discovering more about God? Did you like the idea of increasing in your knowledge of God? You should!

There is nothing more wonderful or more important than to increase our knowledge and understanding of God.

DANIEL'S KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Let's compare notes. This is what I put down as my understanding of Daniel's knowledge of God:-

1. Daniel believed that God was OMNIPOTENT. That's a big word that means that God is "ALL-POWERFUL". As an Omnipotent God He can thus do the following:-

a) He can change the times and the seasons Daniel 2:21
b) He can remove kings and/or raise up kings Daniel 2:21
c) He can give wisdom and knowledge to the wise and understanding Daniel 2:21
d) He alone can reveal deep and secret things Daniel 2:22
e) He alone knows what is in the darkness Daniel 2:22
f) To God, everything is as light; in fact, "light dwells with Him" Daniel 2:22

2. Daniel had a personal relationship with God. This is an important point to note. God was not just Omnipotent. He was also very personal to Daniel. To Daniel, the Lord was a Prayer-answering God. Daniel delighted in his faith in God, quite obviously. He reflected this in his prayer:-

a) "You have given me wisdom and might
b) "And have made known to me what we asked of You…" Daniel 2:23

DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
Prayer is not possible, unless we begin with a personal relationship with God. It is of utmost importance that you examine your relationship with God!

1. Perhaps your father can speak of having a deep faith in God. But can you also say, "I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers ( that is "ancestors" ) Daniel 2:23.

2. God wants to be your Father. He wants you to be His child. In John 1:12, we read these precious and wonderful words, "But as many as received Him (Jesus as Saviour), to them He gave the authority to become children of God." Have you received Jesus as your personal Saviour yet?

3. Cultivate your relationship with God as dear children. Daniel valued his relationship with God. He cried out to Him in prayer. He appreciated God as One who was Omnipotent and yet, He graciously heard and answered his humble prayers. Through prayer, Daniel grew a faith in God that stood him in good stead. Let your heart be deeply challenged to cultivate your relationship with God, as Daniel did.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 18th March 2001, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore