What practical steps can we take to discern God's will like Daniel? Setting the Scene—Daniel 7:1 “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this was the summary of his account.” What We Learn from One Verse • God took the initiative; Daniel received. • Daniel was spiritually awake even while physically asleep. • He recorded what he received instead of trusting his memory. Practical Steps for Discerning God’s Will Like Daniel 1. Cultivate an Ongoing Life of Prayer and Communion • Daniel’s later habit of praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10) did not appear overnight; a steady rhythm of communion set the stage for divine guidance. • Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that consistent prayer guards hearts and minds, creating space to hear God’s direction. 2. Keep a Heart that Expects God to Speak • Daniel lay on his bed but remained spiritually attentive. • Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27). Expectation positions the believer to recognize God’s promptings in Scripture, circumstances, and the inner witness of the Spirit. 3. Saturate the Mind with Scripture • Daniel’s visions aligned with earlier prophecies (e.g., Daniel 2). He recognized patterns because he knew God’s prior words. • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. Regular reading and memorization give God vocabulary to direct us. 4. Record Impressions and Guidance • “He wrote down the dream.” Journaling helps clarify whether an impression bears the hallmarks of God: harmony with Scripture, Christ-centeredness, and purity of motive. • Habakkuk 2:2—“Write down the vision… so that a herald may run with it”. 5. Test Everything by the Word • Daniel later sought explanations (Daniel 7:16). He compared what he saw with previous revelation instead of jumping to conclusions. • 1 Thessalonians 5:21—“Test all things. Hold fast to what is good”. Scripture is the plumb line; any guidance that contradicts it is discarded. 6. Seek Godly Counsel for Interpretation • Daniel approached “one of those standing by” for clarification (Daniel 7:16). God often clarifies His will through mature believers. • Proverbs 11:14—“In an abundance of counselors there is safety”. 7. Walk in Humble Obedience to What You Already Know • Daniel lived faithfully in Babylon long before he received this vision. Obedience invites further light (John 14:21). • Romans 12:1-2 calls for surrendered living; a yielded body and renewed mind discern “the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”. 8. Wait Patiently for God’s Timing • Some elements of Daniel 7 took decades—or are still awaiting fulfillment. He trusted God’s timetable. • Psalm 27:14—“Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous, and wait for the Lord”. Patience guards against impulsive moves outside God’s will. 9. Let Revelation Produce Worship, Not Pride • In Daniel 7:28, the prophet’s response was humble reverence. • Revelation leads to awe and deeper reliance on God, steering us away from self-promotion (1 Corinthians 4:7). Putting It All Together A lifestyle of prayer, scriptural saturation, humble expectancy, careful recording, communal discernment, obedient action, and patient trust forms a pathway for recognizing God’s guidance—just as Daniel did on an ordinary night that became an extraordinary encounter with the will of God. |
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