We all know people who are naturally good at certain things.
The numbers person leaves others in awe at her ability to calculate her head. The athlete pushes expectations of what’s physically possible and brings us to our feet in celebration. The artist sees beauty and inspiration in ordinary life. The friend who lightens a room and brings people together.
God gives each of us unique abilities, talents, and insights — not for our glory but for His. When we’re operating in our gifting, things come easily. And if we’re not careful, we can start to take the credit for what God is doing in us and through us.
Daniel had a prophetic gifting. When someone wasn’t sure what God wanted, they would turn to the prophets — men and women with the ability to declare God’s will and interpret His purposes.
Daniel recognized that God gives His people this special insight. So before Daniel shares a word about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he reminds those listening where his ability to interpret dreams comes from: “... there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.”
The ability to do something well results in all measure of attention and praise. But no matter how powerful we think we are, we are not more powerful than God. God alone gives power and authority, and takes it away (Daniel 2:37-39). An only God can build a kingdom that will last forever (Daniel 2:44). All of our gifts and abilities were designed to help build that kingdom.
When Nebuchadnezzar saw what God empowered Daniel to do, it caused him to think twice about Daniel’s God (Daniel 2:46-47). In that same way, when we give God the glory He rightly deserves for our skills and abilities, we draw others to Him.