Daniel Week Four, Day One Read Daniel 4:1-18 There were two teachers I had in high school whose classes I absolutely hated. In those classes, there was always a ton of homework, the class times always seemed like they lasted forever, and both teachers seemed like they were way too tough on us. At the time, I just thought they were mean. As I got to college, though, I realized that the classes I had from those two teachers prepared me more for the next level than the classes I enjoyed with the teachers that I liked. Even though I didn’t realize it, those teachers had my best interests at heart. After seeing God perform the miracle of saving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream. He dreams that a huge tree is cut down to only the stump. The king went to the magicians and wise men that he often went to when he needed a dream interpreted, but, once again, they couldn’t help him out. So, Nebuchadnezzar once again turned toward God by asking Daniel for help. The giant tree in the king’s dream was ordered to be cut down by a messenger who said that the dream was “so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.” The king was successful, and, because of his success, he was happy with all that he had accomplished. However, God wanted to make sure that Nebuchadnezzar knew that the only reason he had his great kingdom was because God had given it to him. God is the one true ruler. Everything we have, and everything we are comes from the hands of God. Nebuchadnezzar had been duped into believing that he had achieved all that he had done on his own. God gave the king the dream (and what was about to happen to him) to remind him of who truly holds the power. We may get confused sometimes in thinking that our lives are really about us. They aren’t. Our lives come from God, and they are all about God. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. The good news is, though, that God loves and cares for us and wants best for Him. We can live for God with confidence knowing that He is going to care for us. REFLECT: Why do you think God tries to teach Nebuchadnezzar this lesson that He’s in control? Do you think God has ever tried to teach you this lesson? PRAY: As you pray today, talk to God about the areas of your life you need to give control over to Him. Affirm to God that you know that all that you are comes from Him anyway, and you know He has your best interests at heart. // TWO-A-DAYS // GO A LITTLE FARTHER WITH YOUR DAILY DEVOTIONS // Go through these questions with your spouse, kids, or friend, or you can even journal about the answers to these questions:
- What was the best part of your day?
- What was the toughest part of your day?
- Where did you mess up today?
- Where did you see God today?
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