Daniel 5:12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.
Now let Daniel be called….
Have you ever held a key but not remembered which door it opened? Or how about known an address, but were uncertain where it led to?
How we use knowledge is very important.
The wise men had knowledge of the coming king yet Herod used their revelation to kill hundreds of babies. Herod had understanding that this king was the Messiah, an absolute threat to his throne.
Learn to protect the information God has given you. Understanding is required to navigate in the way of the Spirit.
Knowledge by itself will not bring results. Applied understanding will not bring supernatural results. You need both knowledge and understanding.
If knowledge was all that was needed, people with masters or doctorate degrees would be fully employed. Not everyone who has masters has a job nor has every millionaire has gone to college. In fact. you probably know someone who has gone to college, paid money for many years of tuition and still can’t apply that knowledge to gain employment. With understanding, a person can take knowledge and create great impact in their world.
In the story of Daniel, the king who saw the writing on the wall had knowledge. He understood the urgency of the situation. Yet Daniel, by the spirit of God, was the only one who could bring understanding.
Knowledge makes you survive.
Understanding makes you thrive.
Knowledge comes through training.
Understanding comes by the Spirit of God.
In Dan 1:2, we see that the Lord allowed the vessels from the temple of Jerusalem to be brought to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar used understanding when he brought these into his own treasure house. Sadly, his son, Belteshazzar, lacked similar wisdom. He took the vessels of the Lord, brought them into his house and toasted his gods in his court, incurring the wrath of God. When the king grew familiar with God, pride filled his heart and his heart corroded. The king was dangerous to himself and others in his failed understanding.
Quite desperate, the king tried to buy Daniel’s understanding.
Daniel 5:16 -17 Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
Daniel refused, requesting the king keep his incentive plan.
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
A heart of humility is willing to accept God’s leading. Daniel, who easily could have accepted any reward, refused the king’s treasures and chose instead to honour his God. Daniel knew his provision rested in the Almighty.
Daniel served four kings in his lifetime. Throughout his life, this Daniel, noble, yet a Judean slave, ruled the land. The one with understanding will always have the edge. Those who live consistently in a spirit of excellence are those positioned in the king’s court.
Like Daniel, we must be a people not just of knowledge but also understanding.
Understanding grows from grace to grace. By remaining diligent, humble, and prayerful, this grace will be added. Don’t be like a mule who has no understanding. Learn to activate certain principles, to be led by the Spirit, to live a life of excellence, and seek the Lord for both knowledge and understanding.
This season, may we live royal, like Daniel, priests and kings before our God, and be set apart by our understanding and knowledge, to His glory.
Lord God, increase our understanding and help us grow in knowledge that we may operate in a spirit of excellence for Your Glory!
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