Deeper Reflection
Daniel’s worship to God reflects his personal knowledge of God. What Daniel mentions about God is not unrelated to his experience. His exaltation of God comes out of his experience of God.We will consider four divine characteristics. The name of God: “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever” (v.20). More than God’s distinguishing title, “God”, the “name” of God stands for the very person of God – His character, significance and commitment. When Jesus says, “I have manifested Your name” (Jn 17:6), He means that He has revealed God in Himself (see Jn 1:18; 14:7). God’s faithful people who “walk in darkness and have no light” are to “trust in the name of the Lord” (Isa 50:10). That is, trust in the person of God. God’s wisdom and power: “wisdom and power belong to Him” (v.20). God acting in wisdom means He knows what to do and He knows what He is doing. Divine wisdom and divine mystery go together: God’s wisdom is unsearchable and unfathomable (Rom 11:33). Trusting in God’s wisdom is something we need to grow in. Knowing what to do (wisdom) necessitates the ability to do it (power). God has both. God manifests His power both visibly – like signs and wonders ‒ and invisibly – like “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing” (2 Cor 4:7-8).Political powers are prime movers and key actors in human history. But behind it all is the silent and unseen sovereignty of God: “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings” (v.21).