当祸患骤然临到，你会如何反应呢？你要马上「以祷告将它带到主的面前」，尽一切可能联络一两位朋友，为你的问题代祷。不要把问题张扬开，否则太多人的意见只会令你心烦意乱。然后，你便要安静等候神的回应。除非情况紧迫，否则不要匆忙地轻举妄动。就是情况紧迫，也要在心中不断呼求天父，寻求祂的带领、祂的平安和祂的介入。神必回应我们的祈祷，祂必帮助我们；我们只管放心信靠祂。

最后我们必须确记感谢祂的施恩（20节）！

Day 3

HOW OFTEN DO YOU DREAM?

Daniel 2:1-6 and 14-18

1 Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.

2 Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

3 And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.”

4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”

5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.

6 However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”

14 Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon;

15 he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel.

16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation.

17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions,

18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Message

Did you dream last night? What was that about? What is a dream? A dictionary says "A dream is a vision or series of pictures or events presented to a sleeping person". Often those events are related to real experiences or needs in the dreamer's life. In our story today, this dream was a vision given by God to Nebuchadnezzar.

The morning after his dream, Nebuchadnezzar was in a bad mood. He had a strange sense of fear, but he couldn't even remember what he had dreamed about! He called in his advisors, his magicians, the scientists and others, but none of them could help. They admitted, "Only the gods could do what you are asking and they don't live here on earth."

In his frustration the king ordered all these advisors to be immediately executed. When the soldiers came looking for Daniel to include him in the death squad, Daniel's reaction was remarkable. Calmly, quietly and in great faith he said, "Kill me if you must, but why not give me a little time and let me see what my God can do?"

Did you notice what Daniel did next? He asked his three friends, "Please come and pray with me. I have an urgent need." (v.17) His third request was to God Himself (v.18), "Lord, show this man that you are God." He asked specifically that God might reveal both the dream and its meaning.

What do you do when trouble comes suddenly and unexpectedly? You should immediately "take it to the Lord in prayer". Then if it is at all possible, ask one or two others to pray with you regarding the problem. Do not talk to everyone about it. That will only confuse you. Next, give God time to answer your request. Do not act hurriedly unless the situation is extremely urgent. Even then keep sending quick and brief messages to your heavenly Father, asking for His guidance, His peace and His intervention. He will answer you. He will help you. You can trust him.

THEN MAKE SURE YOU TAKE TIME TO THANK HIM (v.20).