"...THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN..."

   "But there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets"

   The king was troubled. His sleep had been disturbed with a dream that would not retreat into the ether of returning sleep. The rest of the night was spent in restless pacing and anxious imaginations. What was the meaning of the dream? As the morning light crept into his elegantly furnished apartment, he knew that he was determined-he would force the magicians to repeat the dream to him and explain its meaning. The magicians were appalled when the realization set in that the king was determined that they would recall a dream they had not experienced or they would all be executed. They tried to reason with him: "No king has ever asked this of anyone...it is not possible to know a dream that we have not dreamed...:"
   The king was angry. "You all have meant to make up a meaning so that you can deceive me! If you are magicians as you say, you will know what the dream is as well as the meaning of it! You will all die!"  Plans were put in motion for the execution of all the wise men of the kingdom, but Daniel quietly asked the executioner the meaning of the sudden declaration. Upon hearing of the king's request, he immediately asked for a one day stay. He called his friends to call upon God, and he went to bed and slept well. In the midst of his sleep, he dreamed what the king had dreamed the past night. In the morning, he asked permission to speak to the king. The king immediately asked Daniel if he could reveal the dream to him. Daniel did not make this 'his moment,' but he announced a momentous truth to the king: "There is a God in heaven!" He proceeded to recite the dream, and the king listened, amazed, as he revealed the meaning of the dream as well. The lives of the wise men of the realm were saved, and the king had an understanding that God is in Heaven.

   My life can feel out of control, and I suddenly realize again that there are parts of it that plays out on its own without my consent.  But, I am happy to say, there is a God in Heaven. :) Ray read from this portion of scripture this morning, and I enjoyed reading the remainder of the story today.
   We appreciate the people who came in to church this morning, and we enjoyed our worship time. One gentleman stopped in to see 'his friends,' and we were so glad to see him. It had been a long while since we had seen him. His daughter is in my EN class that I teach each week. Please pray for us at the mission. Thank you.