Category: Daniel

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The Tree Dream arises from the start of man’s sin – to be as God. It is a common dream of reformers, tyrants and other political leaders. The dream today is recast as the civil government being the social umbrella – providing cradle to grave protection to all its citizens. What did God reveal to Nebuchadnezzar? Verses 34,35.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, thank You for Your word today. Please show us from it how to live.

“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.”

What an experience Nebuchadnezzar had! What grace the Lord showed on him.

Through hardship God gave the king opportunity to acknowledge the truth of the universe – That God is the King in heaven, that He is to be praised, that it is His Kingdom that lasts forever, that none can stay His hand.

God brought Nebuchadnezzar to this position graciously through hardship.

And this is a word for us today.

Hardship does not mean God has forsaken us.

And hardship is always an opportunity to praise God, to remember who He is, to give our Lord and King thanksgiving for all that He has done for us.

What a God we have!

* Father God,

Thank You that You graciously call us, even when we don’t at first listen.

As Nebuchadnezzar ignored the true wisdom from Daniel, to repent and believe, so we too can ignore Your word to us from whatever port it comes.

Please help us to listen to Your word today Lord God, and each day onwards.

Please write it on our hearts that we might not sin against You.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This well known history recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s next step – his pride and its humiliation. He glimpses the Son of God and honours and protects those who believe in the Living God.

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, please teach us from Your word today.

“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Danie’s three friends were of the same mind as Daniel.

They put their lives in the hands of our God, refusing to bow to any other even in the face of certain death.

This was a strong word to God’s people at the time, many of whom continued in idolatry, serving what is NOT GOD.

And this word is for us today.

If we are compelled by earthly powers to worship any other thing than our God, what will be our response?

* God Above,

Thank You that You in the person of the Son met with Daniel’s three friends in the fire, saving them, keeping them safe.

Thank You that You have worked to save every single one of Your people, a once-for-all sacrifice in Christ’s death on the cross – That we might be free, and have life, life to the full!

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

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, Please show us Your word today, write it on our hearts, plant it deep within us.

“But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I 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 he was, given the answer to the king’s impossible question, and he instead 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 of fearing God, through the old and new testaments.

That God would increase and we would decrease.

John the Baptist, the earthly cousin of Jesus, who was a public agitator of his time, preaching shock-and-awe in the desert, of the hard realities of sin and judgement – he acknowledges the truth,

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Paul says it clearly in Philippians chapter 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.

Pointing to You.

Please help us point to You.

Please sink us in self that we might rise in You.

For only in You can we find true identity, in You we find rest and life to the full.

Amen.