[caption id="attachment_1061" align="alignleft" width="229" caption="Jerusalem photo by Linda & Arta Gjakove"][/caption]               In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.  The king ordered the chief of his officials to bring some of the sons of Israel showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge and who had ability for serving in the king's court.  Daniel was one of these guys.  In chapter two the king had dreams.  He wanted interpretation. Daniel requested compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery. (The king was going to get an interpretation, or the wise men would die.)  Verse 19  "Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.  then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Verse 20 Daniel answered and said "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever.  for wisdom and power belong to Him. Verse 21 And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; he removes kings and establishes kings.  He gives wisdom to the wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.  Verse 22 It is He who reveals profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him. Verse 23 To Thee O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and power; Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee;" (he had prayed with three other friends). God of heaven.  These are uncertain times and have been difficult times for some.  I would ask for compassion from you to hear our prayers.  We all need wisdom and understanding.  We want to walk in your ways.  We want to use our gifts.  We want to be a blessing for our families, friends and co-workers.  Let us find wisdom and strength.  Give us a night vision and show us the way.   Reveal profound and hidden things to us. We may be finding new careers and building new lives and we need vision to see beyond those things of the past that limit us.  We  praise you God from whom all blessings flow.  Amen