What, it may be inquired, led Daniel to suppose that this secret would be communicated to him? The answer is: Confidence in God, and the assurance that-- as His glory was concerned in the matter, as well as the safety of those who had through His grace maintained their faith and hope in Him amid all the seductions of the Babylonian court-- He would not fail to interpose for their rescue in this hour of peril.

It was, in truth, a supreme moment, a moment when all the wisdom of the world had confessed its failure. If, therefore, Daniel could reveal the king's secret, God would be publicly magnified before the whole realm.

Daniel's next step was to go to his house and make "the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 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" (Daniel 2:17-18). Counting upon God, Daniel associated his companions with himself in his supplications.

It is the first instance of united prayer recorded in Scripture; and the fact that these children of the captivity resorted to it discovers to us the secret of their holy and separate walk. Dependence on God in secret is the means of all power in life and testimony-- and, it may be added, of courage in the presence of man of of Satan's power.

These four, on their knees at such a moment before the God of heaven, present a wondrous spectacle. They were but aliens in a strange land, expatriated for the sins of their nation; and now they were doomed to a speedy death unless the forgotten dream could be recalled and interpreted. But they knew with whom they had to do: the One who had said in their own Scriptures, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15).

Hence they waited and pleaded before Him concerning this secret. Nor was their confidence in vain: God heard their cry, and the secret was revealed.