Page 45 - The Prophet-statesman a Drama of Daniel

CHAPTER X

THE DREAM RESTORED AND INTERPRETED

For the next three days the cottage on Palace Way was a house of prayer and fasting.

Immediately upon the return of Daniel from the palace, the four young men
covenanted together that they would neither eat nor drink water for the next seventy-
two hours, but engage in unceasing prayer that Jahveh would reveal to Daniel the dream

that Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed and show unto him the interpretation.

The prayer was unremitting; sometimes they prayed together and sometimes one
would keep the vigil while the others rested. The third night Daniel had retired for a

period of rest and sleep at midnight. Up until that time there had been no faint suggestion
brought to him of the content of the King’s dream. But as he retired on the last night of
the period of probation, his companions continued to supplicate the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob to make known the dream to their friend. Their zeal was unabated, their

faith unshaken, and they continued together in crying to God.

The light of day had barely begun to illumine the Eastern sky, when Daniel who had
arisen from his bed, came into the prayer-room.

“Arise, my dear companions, and let us give thanks and sing praises, for our God
hath answered our prayers. Blessed be God, the God of heaven and blessed be His Holy
Name for ever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. He changeth the times and the

seasons: He removeth kings and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise and
knowledge to them that know understanding. He revealeth the deep and secret things:
He knoweth what is in the darkness and the light dwelleth with Him. I thank thee, and
praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast

made known unto me now what we desired of thee for thou hast now made known unto
us the king’s matter.”

Then with Mishael leading the song they chanted together the psalm beginning: “O
give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever. O give thanks
unto the God of gods, for His mercy endureth forever.”

Right through this beautiful psalm, citing in every verse Jehovah’s power in dealing

with His ancient people and His might in heaven and earth, they sang with rich and
joyous voices, ending with he words: “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His