Reading
SAA Notes
This is a unique situation. God uses Daniel to show Nebuchadnezzar that He really is. His confession in verse 47 is not commitment, but it is the beginning of the way to God. Commentaries will tell you who the kingdoms are in the vision.
SJA Notes
* Mighty God, may we be humbled in Your presence today.
“But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.”
We see here Daniel’s humility.
Here Daniel was given the answer to the king’s impossible questions, and instead of overtly or subtly raising himself up, he points to God,
“… But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar …”
This is the model for the fear of God, through the old and new testaments.
That God would increase and that we would decrease.
John the Baptist, the earthly cousin of Jesus – a public agitator of his time, preaching shock-and-awe in the desert, preaching of the hard truths of sin and judgement – he acknowledges the truth,
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Paul says it clearly in Philippians 2,
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
This is how God’s people are to act.
This is how we are to act.
Are we humbled before our King today?
* Loving Faithful God,
Thank You for the witness of believers such as Daniel, who point to You.
Please help us point to You today.
Please sink us in self that we might rise in You.
Only in You can we find our identity, in You we find rest and life to the full.
Amen.