Daniel 9:15-18 - And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
Numbers 6:24-26 - The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Jeremiah 7:11 - Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord.
Luke 18:13 - But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Application:
· God takes notice of and treats His people with favor. Does God treat me with favor?
· God answers prayer because of His grace, not because of my works
· God declares false worshipers to be violent thieves preying on others
· The tax collector does not plead his good works but the mercy of God in forgiving his sin. Do I plead my good works, or do I plead the mercy of God?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Refuse To Pay Attention
Daniel 9:12-14 - He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.
Zechariah 7:12 - They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.
Deuteronomy 4:29 - But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Genesis 18:25 - Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
Jeremiah 12:1 - Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
Application:
· Do I refuse to pay attention to God’s self-revelation? Have I turned my back on the Lord? Have I closed my ears? Have I hardened my heart?
· Do I seek Him? Do I fear Him? Am I living in obedience to Him? Do I love and serve Him? Am I committed to Him?
· Am I confident that God will do what is right?
· God defines and acts out what is fair and just. He is a dependable Judge. Yet, He listens to my questions and complaints
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Zechariah 7:12 - They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.
Deuteronomy 4:29 - But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Genesis 18:25 - Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
Jeremiah 12:1 - Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
Application:
· Do I refuse to pay attention to God’s self-revelation? Have I turned my back on the Lord? Have I closed my ears? Have I hardened my heart?
· Do I seek Him? Do I fear Him? Am I living in obedience to Him? Do I love and serve Him? Am I committed to Him?
· Am I confident that God will do what is right?
· God defines and acts out what is fair and just. He is a dependable Judge. Yet, He listens to my questions and complaints
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Forgiving
Daniel 9:8-11 - To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.
2 Samuel 24:14 - Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”
2 Kings 17:13 - Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
Jeremiah 8:7 - Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the Lord.
Application:
· Would I rather experience God’s anger or man’s anger?
· Do I spurn the words of those calling me to Him?
· Do I refuse to obey His laws?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
2 Samuel 24:14 - Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”
2 Kings 17:13 - Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
Jeremiah 8:7 - Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the Lord.
Application:
· Would I rather experience God’s anger or man’s anger?
· Do I spurn the words of those calling me to Him?
· Do I refuse to obey His laws?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Turning Aside From Your Commandments
Daniel 9:3-7,18 - Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you…O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Ezra 9:15 - O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.”
Isaiah 42:6-7 - “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Application:
· God answers prayer because of His grace, not because of my works
· The Servant, who alone was sinless, was uniquely qualified to bear my sins, and I contributed to His pain
· The Lord is righteous, just and merciful
· I have committed treachery against Him, yet He still hears me, sees me and is merciful to me.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Ezra 9:15 - O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.”
Isaiah 42:6-7 - “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Application:
· God answers prayer because of His grace, not because of my works
· The Servant, who alone was sinless, was uniquely qualified to bear my sins, and I contributed to His pain
· The Lord is righteous, just and merciful
· I have committed treachery against Him, yet He still hears me, sees me and is merciful to me.
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Monday, June 25, 2012
The Holy People
Daniel 8:19-27 - He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.” And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.
Daniel 9:1-2 - In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
Daniel 11:36 - “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
Application:
· Do I do as I please? Do I exalt and magnify myself?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 9:1-2 - In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
Daniel 11:36 - “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
Application:
· Do I do as I please? Do I exalt and magnify myself?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Friday, June 22, 2012
Vision
Daniel 7:28-8:9 - “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal. I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 4 I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great. As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him in his powerful wrath. I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land.
Daniel 1:17 - As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 2:4 – Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”
Application:
· Only by God’s special revelation was Daniel able to interpret correctly
· The events of Daniel 8 are prophecies concerning the rise of the Persian empire and the rise of Alexander the Great
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 1:17 - As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 2:4 – Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”
Application:
· Only by God’s special revelation was Daniel able to interpret correctly
· The events of Daniel 8 are prophecies concerning the rise of the Persian empire and the rise of Alexander the Great
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Saints
Daniel 7:26-27 - But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
1 Corinthians 6:2 - Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
Daniel 2:44 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Luke 1:32-33 - He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Psalm 22:27 – All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
Psalm 86:9 - All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
Application:
· All rulers will worship and obey the Most High
· Saints will judge the world with Christ
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins of the sinful empires of man
· The kingdom of the Father and Son, as one, will never end
· All the ends of the earth will be told of God’s saving acts
· All the nations the Lord has made will come and worship before our Sovereign and Universal God
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
1 Corinthians 6:2 - Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?
Daniel 2:44 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Luke 1:32-33 - He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Psalm 22:27 – All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
Psalm 86:9 - All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
Application:
· All rulers will worship and obey the Most High
· Saints will judge the world with Christ
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins of the sinful empires of man
· The kingdom of the Father and Son, as one, will never end
· All the ends of the earth will be told of God’s saving acts
· All the nations the Lord has made will come and worship before our Sovereign and Universal God
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Ten Kings
Daniel 7:23-25 - “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
Daniel 1:12 - “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Daniel 2:44 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Daniel 11:36 - “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
Application:
· Ten often had the symbolic significance of completeness
· Do I use good judgment? Do I offer alternatives instead of rebelling against those in authority?
· The authority of the eternal kingdom of God will extend over the whole earth and ultimately over a new heaven and a new earth
· The antichrist will exalt himself, magnify himself, speak against God and be successful…for a while
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 1:12 - “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Daniel 2:44 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Daniel 11:36 - “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
Application:
· Ten often had the symbolic significance of completeness
· Do I use good judgment? Do I offer alternatives instead of rebelling against those in authority?
· The authority of the eternal kingdom of God will extend over the whole earth and ultimately over a new heaven and a new earth
· The antichrist will exalt himself, magnify himself, speak against God and be successful…for a while
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
His Kingdom Will Never Be Destroyed
Daniel 7:14-22 - And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’ “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
Daniel 2:44-45 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Mark 8:35 – For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.
Application:
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins of the sinful empires of man
· I will enjoy exalted privileges during the Messianic kingdom age
· To be a saint of the Most High, I must give up a self-centered life focused on this present world and it’s rebellion against God for the sake of Christ and the gospel
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 2:44-45 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Mark 8:35 – For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.
Application:
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins of the sinful empires of man
· I will enjoy exalted privileges during the Messianic kingdom age
· To be a saint of the Most High, I must give up a self-centered life focused on this present world and it’s rebellion against God for the sake of Christ and the gospel
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Monday, June 18, 2012
Coming Out From Before Him
Daniel 7:10-13 - A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
Psalm 68:17 - The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 2:1 - And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
Malachi 3:2 – But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.
Application:
· Chariots of God are God’s great heavenly host
· Jesus will be enthroned as ruler over the whole earth, and His kingdom will never be destroyed, whether on earth or in heaven
· Son of man identifies a creature before the supreme Creator. A son of man should show humility and dignity before an Almighty, Transcendent God
· Jesus will be like a refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Psalm 68:17 - The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 2:1 - And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.”
Malachi 3:2 – But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.
Application:
· Chariots of God are God’s great heavenly host
· Jesus will be enthroned as ruler over the whole earth, and His kingdom will never be destroyed, whether on earth or in heaven
· Son of man identifies a creature before the supreme Creator. A son of man should show humility and dignity before an Almighty, Transcendent God
· Jesus will be like a refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Friday, June 15, 2012
Visions
Daniel 6:27-28 - He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 7:1-4 - In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.
Ezekiel 40:2 – In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south.
Daniel 1:17 - As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Genesis 3:24 - He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Application:
· God gave Ezekiel and Daniel prophetic visions
· Only by God’s special revelation was Daniel able to interpret correctly
· Only through God’s redemption in Christ does man have access again to the tree of life
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 7:1-4 - In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.
Ezekiel 40:2 – In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south.
Daniel 1:17 - As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Genesis 3:24 - He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Application:
· God gave Ezekiel and Daniel prophetic visions
· Only by God’s special revelation was Daniel able to interpret correctly
· Only through God’s redemption in Christ does man have access again to the tree of life
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Thursday, June 14, 2012
He Trusted In His God
Daniel 6:19-26 - Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.
Genesis 32:1 - Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
Psalm 99:3 - Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
Jeremiah 10:10 - But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
Daniel 2:44-45 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Application:
· God was with Jacob, as He had promised
· That the lions were ravenously hungry was no obstacle to the Lord’s rewarding Daniel’s faith by saving his life
· As the Great King, the Lord ought to be shown the fear and honor that are His due
· Everything that idols are not, the Lord is
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins or the sinful empires of man
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Genesis 32:1 - Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
Psalm 99:3 - Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
Jeremiah 10:10 - But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
Daniel 2:44-45 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Application:
· God was with Jacob, as He had promised
· That the lions were ravenously hungry was no obstacle to the Lord’s rewarding Daniel’s faith by saving his life
· As the Great King, the Lord ought to be shown the fear and honor that are His due
· Everything that idols are not, the Lord is
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins or the sinful empires of man
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Serve Continually
Daniel 6:12-18 - Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.” Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
Daniel 3:12 - There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Esther 6:1 - On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
Application:
· Do I obey the word of God above those in earthly authority over me?
· The work that I do for the kingdom of God will bring results that last forever.
· Royal insomnia indicates that something more than chance is involved in King Xerxes’ and King Darius’ situations
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 3:12 - There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Esther 6:1 - On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
Application:
· Do I obey the word of God above those in earthly authority over me?
· The work that I do for the kingdom of God will bring results that last forever.
· Royal insomnia indicates that something more than chance is involved in King Xerxes’ and King Darius’ situations
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Law Of His God
Daniel 6:4-11 – Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.
Acts 24:14-15 - But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Psalm 95:6 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Application:
· I share the same hope as the Jews—resurrection and judgment
· Worship to God includes humility before my majestic God
· Do I have a mental attitude of prayerfulness? Do I have continual personal fellowship with God? Am I conscious of being in His presence throughout each day?
· Am I marked by thanksgiving?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Acts 24:14-15 - But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Psalm 95:6 - Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Application:
· I share the same hope as the Jews—resurrection and judgment
· Worship to God includes humility before my majestic God
· Do I have a mental attitude of prayerfulness? Do I have continual personal fellowship with God? Am I conscious of being in His presence throughout each day?
· Am I marked by thanksgiving?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Monday, June 11, 2012
Weighed On The Scales
Daniel 5:24-31 - “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Proverbs 24:12 - If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
Daniel 6:1-3 - It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
Application:
· Belshazzar was measured in the light of God’s standards
· God knows even my thoughts and motives
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Proverbs 24:12 - If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
Daniel 6:1-3 - It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
Application:
· Belshazzar was measured in the light of God’s standards
· God knows even my thoughts and motives
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Friday, June 8, 2012
Pride
Daniel 4:37 - Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 5:1-2 - King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand. Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.
Psalm 119:21 - You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.
Daniel 1:2 - And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.
Application:
· The Lord is able to humble the proud and to exalt the humble
· The insolent are those who are law to themselves
· Judah was exiled to Babylonia because she disobeyed God’s Word
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 5:1-2 - King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand. Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.
Psalm 119:21 - You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.
Daniel 1:2 - And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.
Application:
· The Lord is able to humble the proud and to exalt the humble
· The insolent are those who are law to themselves
· Judah was exiled to Babylonia because she disobeyed God’s Word
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Pleases
Daniel 4:34-36 - At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.
Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Psalm 135:6 - Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
Job 42:10 - And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Application:
· Do I confess that God does all that He pleases? Do I realize that the Lord is the true God?
· Do I fear and honor the gods worshiped by the nations?
· Do I pray for those who abuse me? Do I seek reconciliation no matter what my state?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Psalm 115:3 - Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Psalm 135:6 - Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
Job 42:10 - And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Application:
· Do I confess that God does all that He pleases? Do I realize that the Lord is the true God?
· Do I fear and honor the gods worshiped by the nations?
· Do I pray for those who abuse me? Do I seek reconciliation no matter what my state?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Majesty
Daniel 4:29-34 - At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
Habakkuk 2:4 - “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Daniel 2:44-45 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Luke 1:32-33 - He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Application:
· Do I rely on myself or God? Do I wait patiently for God’s plan to unfold? Do I believe that God will accomplish it? Do I trust in God and cling to His promises, even in the darkest days?
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins of the sinful empires of man
· Although Christ’s role as Mediator will one day be finished, the kingdom of the Father and Son, as one, will never end
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Habakkuk 2:4 - “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Daniel 2:44-45 - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Luke 1:32-33 - He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Application:
· Do I rely on myself or God? Do I wait patiently for God’s plan to unfold? Do I believe that God will accomplish it? Do I trust in God and cling to His promises, even in the darkest days?
· The eternal kingdom of God will be built on the ruins of the sinful empires of man
· Although Christ’s role as Mediator will one day be finished, the kingdom of the Father and Son, as one, will never end
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Lengthening
Daniel 4:26-28 - And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Numbers 23:19 - God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Application:
· Concealing my sin results in physical and psychological pain. Confessing and renouncing my sin results in joy
· All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar because he did not renounce his sins and wickedness, do what is right and be kind to the oppressed
· God’s faithfulness in general implies that His promises will also come to pass
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Numbers 23:19 - God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Application:
· Concealing my sin results in physical and psychological pain. Confessing and renouncing my sin results in joy
· All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar because he did not renounce his sins and wickedness, do what is right and be kind to the oppressed
· God’s faithfulness in general implies that His promises will also come to pass
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Monday, June 4, 2012
Acknowledge That The Most High Is Sovereign
Daniel 4:23-25,37 - And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Psalm 107:39-41 - When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
Application:
· Have I been allowed to prosper? Have I grown proud? I need to guard against turning my back on the God who has blessed me.
· The Most High rules the universe and human kingdoms and gives them to whom He wills
· Why should I praise, exalt and glorify God? Because EVERYTHING HE does is right and HIS ways are just
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Psalm 107:39-41 - When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.
Application:
· Have I been allowed to prosper? Have I grown proud? I need to guard against turning my back on the God who has blessed me.
· The Most High rules the universe and human kingdoms and gives them to whom He wills
· Why should I praise, exalt and glorify God? Because EVERYTHING HE does is right and HIS ways are just
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Friday, June 1, 2012
Acknowledge That The Most High Is Sovereign
Daniel 3:29-30 – Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 4:1,23-25,28,37 - King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you!... And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will…All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Application:
· Do I acknowledge that God controls the universe and human kingdoms—and I do not?
· Nebuchadnezzar was punished because he did not renounce his sins and wickedness, do what was right, and be kind to the oppressed.
· The Lord is able to humble the proud and exalt the humble. Am I humbled by God’s grace? Do I confess God’s mercy?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
Daniel 4:1,23-25,28,37 - King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you!... And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will…All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Application:
· Do I acknowledge that God controls the universe and human kingdoms—and I do not?
· Nebuchadnezzar was punished because he did not renounce his sins and wickedness, do what was right, and be kind to the oppressed.
· The Lord is able to humble the proud and exalt the humble. Am I humbled by God’s grace? Do I confess God’s mercy?
All Scripture verses taken from ESV
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