DISSOLVING of DOUBTS

" . . . an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel." (Daniel 5:12)

The prophet Daniel is one of the great men of Scripture. When he was young, he was taken as a slave to Babylon, uprooted from his homeland at the commencement of the Babylonian captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar commanded Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the children of Israel into the king's court for special training in the Chaldean ways and language. Only special children were to be chosen. They were to be some of the king's descendants and nobles. Even then, they were to be exceptional youngsters: "Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand" (Dan 1:3-4). Daniel was among these young men (1:6), and is estimated to have been between 12-15 years of age at the time. Daniel rose to a place of prominence in the Babylonian and Median kingdoms, serving under Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. Daniel so distinguished himself among the political officials that Darius "planned to set him over the whole kingdom" (Dan 6:3, NIV). What a blessed man Daniel was!

This prophet was noted for the "dissolving of doubts." That is, he could explain mysteries and "solve difficult problems" (NIV). What vivid language–"dissolve doubts!" The idea is that of unraveling complicated things, opening up to the understanding matters that otherwise caused fear and confusion. The three areas in which Daniel surpassed his peers were all in the same category: (1) Interpreting dreams, (2) explaining hard sentences, or riddles, and (3) dissolving doubts, or solving problems. His expertise in these areas is traced to (1) an excellent spirit, (2) knowledge, and (3) understanding. These he evidently possessed from a youth.

None of these traits were acquired from the Babylonian educational system. Secrets were revealed to Daniel by God Almighty (Dan 2:19,23,30; 10:1). This righteous man sought wisdom from the Lord, while he was in the lofty political realms of Babylon (Dan 9:3-4). What stumped the most trained and intellectual men of Babylon was made known to Daniel. Among them all, this exalted Hebrew captive became known as someone that could "dissolve doubts," so clearing up matters they became plain and were no longer mysteries.

It seems to me there is a place for such people today–those who can "dissolve doubts," and resolve the serious questions that plague humanity. There is surely a place for those possessing an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding. What is more, the God of heaven is still disposed to enable His people to rise above their peers in all of these categories. There can still be men like Stephen, Philip, Timothy, and Titus. There can still be women like Priscilla, Phebe, Lydia, and Philip's four daughters.

Seeing the professed church running to psychology, motivators, economists, and educators, is like king Nebuchadnezzar inquiring from the Babylonian astrologers. There is a vast reservoir of doubt-dissolving grace available to those in Christ Jesus. Let us seek it with expectation.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I seek for the wisdom that comes down from above. I praise Your name that Your are disposed to give it in abundant measures, and not rebuke me for asking.

-- Monday: LABORING TO ENTER REST --