Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. He declared to Arioch, the king's captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king. — Daniel 2:12-16

What I think is interesting about this section is Daniel's response. He has just gotten word on the situation, and I expect him to be terrified. Terrified by the king's rampage, the orders given to Arioch, and the life-threatening stress of the present moment. But the text doesn't seem to suggest that Daniel was overly concerned. In fact, it conveys this unusual confidence for a young teenage man. Daniel approaches the matter with prudence and discretion and asks for an appointment with the king even though he doesn't know the dream or its interpretation.

Fellas, this is the uncomfortable thing about faith in God. Faith precedes present answers, and sometimes the action of faith will put us in harm's way. As we see here, Daniel didn't know the outcome. He didn't even know the dream or the interpretation. Yet he took a step of faith, set a meeting with an angry king, and put himself out there believing that his God was greater than all other gods — and that God would prove himself. Daniel's responsibility was to act in faith, nothing more. He understood that God could prove himself.

But what about you? Are you a man who lives by faith? Faith that is willing to put yourself in harm's way without knowing all the answers?

Fellas, at some point, we are all tested just like Daniel. And when this moment comes, we will get a choice. The option to make a safe choice or a dangerous one. The opportunity to trust in ourselves or turn to faith in God. And when a miracle is needed, it's best to remember that "faith precedes present answers." But this motivation is not an attempt to put God to the test or manufacture a miracle. Instead, it's living by faith and letting God do what he does best — provide impossible solutions to impossible problems.

ASK THIS: Is there a place you need to have faith in God in life?

DO THIS: Take a brave step of faith today. A step into the unknown. And then let God be God.

PRAY THIS: God, be the God of my situation.

PLAY THIS: Stand In Faith.

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