August 7 - Daniel 2:1-3:30 | Jeremiah 7:1-8:3

Good morning everyone,

Daniel chapter two contains the first prophecy in the book of Daniel. It is a foundational prophecy, that is to say, all remaining prophecies in Daniel and Revelation are built on this one prophecy. It tells us, among other things, that God does indeed know the future and has determined that certain events will happen. 

We began today with a story that is very familiar to most of us, right? Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, he calls on his “wise” men to not only interpret but first reveal the dream for him. He threatens them with death if they can not do as he has asked, of course they can not, and so an order was issued for all of the “wise” men of Babylon to be executed. Daniel enquires of Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, “why such a harsh decree?” When he learns of what is going on Daniel asks for a stay of execution, then heads back home where he solicits the help of his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to pray of Yahweh for guidance and revelation of the dream the king had. Easy peasy, right? Well, maybe not so much because Nebuchadnezzar was one mean dude! 

Nebuchadnezzar took great pleasure in torturing people. Fire seems to have been his favorite method as we read in chapter three with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It was not uncommon for him to tie people to a spigot and listen to them scream as he roasted them to death. I do not understand, I can not wrap my head, around such an evil spirited mind set, it would take a lot of courage to go up against someone such as Nebuchadnezzar. But Daniel had more faith in his God, our God, then he had fear of the king and so it was that during the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then what did Daniel do? He thanked and praised God before he went to see the king. 

This speaks volumes to the personal, intimate relationship Daniel had with Yahweh, to the faith and trust he had in the one true God. It is one thing to say, “Oh yes, I know God. I pray. Yea, yea, I know He can do all things” but how many of us really, really believe that? How many of us are one hundred percent committed to trusting God with all that touches our lives? Everything! Our children, grandchildren, finances, food, health, relationships, the list goes on and on. How many times do we think, “why would a God do that?” not trusting in His perfect plan, questioning his reasoning, daring to presume we know so much better. In Jeremiah 29:11 were told, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you.” 

To have that kind of trust and faith you have to really know God. Spend time with Him in prayer and His Word. Learn who He is, what He stands for, the sacrifices He has made on our behalf. The Bible says that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently. Not those who seek merely His blessings, but those who seek Him, are the ones who find their reward, for He is the reward. Make sense? It is when we truly believe that, when we sincerely claim, “we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me” that we will be able to face the Nebuchadnezzars of the world. God loves, loves, loves us and desperately wants to help us with all that touches our lives. Like Daniel, we just have let Him! Amen?

Have a good a day and to God be the glory!

God bless you all …