In 1478, Lorenzo de' Medici, ruler of Florence, Italy, escaped an attempt on his life. His fellow citizens provoked a war by trying to take revenge for the attack on their leader. When the situation worsened, the cruel King Ferrante I of Naples turned Lorenzo's enemy, but one act of courage from him changed everything. He visited the king, alone and unarmed. This action, plus his charisma and brilliance, earned Ferrante's admiration, and the war ended.
Daniel also helped a king change his attitude. No one in Babylon could describe or interpret the overwhelming dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. This angered him so much that he decided to execute all of his advisors, including Daniel and his friends. But Daniel asked to visit the king who wanted him dead (Daniel 2:24).
Standing in front of Nebuchadnezzar, he gave God credit for revealing the mystery of the dream (v. 28). When Daniel described and deciphered it, the king honored the "God of gods, and Lord of kings" (v. 47). Daniel's unusual courage, the fruit of his faith in God, helped him, his friends, and the other counselors not die that day.
There are times when we need courage and daring to communicate important messages. May God guide our words and give us wisdom to know what to say and the ability to communicate it well.