Daniel 1 In this introduction to Daniel we find out the facts.. 

Daniel was from Judah, taken into exile along with Jehoiakim the king.  He was a young man who came from a noble or royal family.  He was chosen to participate in a "re-education" program by Nebuchadnezzar, because he was " good-looking.. showing intelligence.. endowed with understanding.. and discerning knowledge.. who had ability for serving in the king's court.."  He was a very special young man. Also chosen for this privileged position were Hannah, Mishael, and Azariah... better known by their new names.. "Shadrach.. Meshach.. and Abednego."

Daniel had a determined heart.. from the beginning he had made up his mind not to compromise his faith in God. He refused to defile himself with the choice foods offered by the king, Nebuchadnezzar .  We learn that God intervened in Daniel's situation by allowing him to find favor in "the sight of the commander of the officials." So, Daniel and his friends were allowed to eat the vegetables and drink water instead of the king's choice foods and wine.  The results were that even after 10 days "their appearance seemed better and they were fatter that all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food." 

God also blessed Daniel and his friends with more "knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams."  These four were the best of the all those who had spent the three years in training for the king's service and became his personal servants.  The king consulted them "for every matter of wisdom and understanding.." and found them far advanced then all his magicians. 

Daniel 2 takes us straight into the first revelation given to Daniel. It was an impossible request:  Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and he wanted the wise men to not only interpret the dream, but to tell him what he had dreamt.  Of course, no man could do such a thing.  How could anyone tell you what you had dreamt?  The order went out that all the wise men would be destroyed because they could not do this impossible thing.  But.. Daniel, with "discretion and discernment" asked for time...  and was granted it by the king. 

Daniel went to God with this impossible request.. for God is the only One who could reveal this mystery. God answered his prayer and before anything else, Daniel offered a prayer of praise!

" Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for Thou hast given me wisdom and power; even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee. For Thou hast made known to us the king's matter." ( v20-23)

Father in heaven, You are the God who changes times and epochs.  You are the same God who did all that You showed Daniel in this dream.  You are the One who will accomplish the final part of this dream when the "stone" comes to crush all the kingdoms of the earth and reign forever. Let Your Kingdom come! Let Your Light shine through the darkness of this world. May every knee bow before You. amen