March is a great time to live in Texas. While much of the country is still shoveling snow, Texans are watching the early hints of spring sprout from the ground and bud on trees. We have almost turned the corner on another winter and spring is on the way. The seasons measure the forward progress of time, and they remind us of the constant and consistent work of our divine God.

The prophet Daniel is one of the most exceptional people in the Bible. I’m sure he made mistakes; he was a human being. But Daniel had a faith-walk with God that gifted him with wisdom and abilities only the Holy Spirit could provide. Daniel knew God and he helped others, even King Nebuchadnezzar, to know God as well.

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. He called for his advisors in the middle of the night and demanded they offer him an interpretation. When someone asked him to describe his dream, the king refused. Nebuchadnezzar believed that a true prophet would be able to know the dream as well as the interpretation. The men said it was impossible to do what Nebuchadnezzar was requesting. The king was so angered that he ordered the execution of these men who served as his advisors.

When Daniel heard what the king was planning to do, he called his friends together and they prayed. When Daniel went to sleep, God gave him a vision with the answers he needed to save himself, his friends, and the other Babylonian leaders as well. Daniel knew and understood the king’s dream.

Before Daniel went to speak to Nebuchadnezzar, he offered words of praise. Those words are one of the finest Old Testament descriptions of who God was, is, and always will be. Maybe it has been a while since you paused to praise God or consider his greatness. Maybe Daniel’s words should be yours today.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king” (Daniel 2:20–23).

 What did Daniel know about God?

• God is unchanging and worthy of praise. When was the last time you truly praised God?
• God is always wise, always powerful. Do you search for wisdom and power somewhere else?
• God is moving time forward, changing the seasons as a reminder of that progress. Do you embrace the progress or wish you could delay it?
• God is the one who controls the “kings” of this world. Have you worried that things seem “out of control?”
• God gives wisdom to those who are wise enough to seek it. How often do you ask God for his perfect wisdom?
• God gives knowledge to people who will think like him. Do you know what to do with the wisdom God gives you?
• God reveals deep things that we could not know of apart from his revelation. What was the last great truth or calling God revealed to you?
• God is light, dispelling darkness. Does God light up the room when you enter?
• God gives us the abilities we need to serve him and others. Do you know and trust you are able because you know and trust that God is able?

Daniel was who he was because he knew God. The secret of Christian success is not measured by all we accomplish for God. Instead, it is measured by all that God accomplishes through us. Our success begins with knowing God like Daniel knew him.

Take some time to praise God using Daniel’s words. And keep praising until the truth is proven true in your life. Daniel knew God. We can too. How many times will God manifest himself in your life before the leaves that are just beginning to bud fall to the ground next fall?

Time is moving forward. Praise God and serve him well.