What We Asked of You

Scripture

Daniel 2:17–23 (ESV)

Reflection

When an answer finally arrives, it usually arrives to the leader. They get the call, they present the solution, their name goes on it. It is easy for the thanks to shrink to the size of the person who received it.

The threat in this story is total. Daniel and his companions are about to be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Daniel does not carry it alone. He goes home, tells Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, and the four of them seek mercy together.

The answer comes to Daniel alone, in a vision of the night. The very next thing he does is bless the God of heaven. The king's matter is still unresolved and the danger has not passed, and thanks comes first anyway.

Then listen to the pronouns. You have given me wisdom and might, and have made known to me what we asked of you. The vision belonged to one man. The asking belonged to four, and his thankfulness says so in the same breath.

Leaders hold a lot of answers that a whole team asked for. Daniel's thanks keeps the team inside it, even though the vision came to him alone. That is a habit worth building before the next breakthrough, because in the moment it is always easier to say me.

Practical Application

• When something you are credited for goes well, name who asked for it with you.
• Bring your people into the problem early, so they share in the answer.
• Give thanks for a breakthrough before you rush to use it.

Takeaways

• A leader often receives the answer a whole team asked for.
• Daniel's thanks says me and we in the same breath, and both are true.

Closing Thought

The vision came to Daniel alone, and the thanks still said we.