Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory Daniel 2:37
It was with great humility and certainty at the same time that Daniel went before the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s humility came because he fully understood that God was Sovereign over detail of life. It was God’s Sovereignty that had placed even this pagan King upon the throne and that allowed Judah to be taken captive. Daniel’s own fate had been God’s providential hand at work. Even if Daniel did not fully understand all the mysteries of God’s plan; Daniel still trusted God’s Mercy and Grace. After Daniel and his friends had earnestly prayed, God revealed to Daniel both the dream and the interpretation of the dream. So, it was that Daniel went before the King with both a humble spirit and a certainty of heart.
God had warned Judah over and over that their worship of selfish desires and pagan gods was leading toward their captivity. Yes, God was in control of the events. We do know that it was God who allowed this Pagan King to take Judah captive.
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: Daniel 1:1-2
Still, that does not relinquish the guilt of the Jewish nation for having turned their backs on God. We cannot say that because God is Sovereign; therefore, I am not responsible for my own sin. Indeed, it is His Mercy that has steadied His Just deserved Hand of Wrath throughout these ages that He might call forth all those who would come to seek Him. It is His Mighty love that would provide the propitiation for man’s pride filled, self-exalting heart through the very death of His Beloved Son.
DANIEL’S HUMBLE HEART OF FAITH
Daniel understood this as he awaited the Messiah who was yet to come. He did not resent God for his captivity nor that he had been placed as a Eunuch into the service of this pagan King. He honored God, prayed, and trusted God’s Providential Hand of Grace, no matter what the circumstances looked like. With humility and with certainty, Daniel both revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar the dream and the interpretation. Daniel was certain to give all the credit to God alone for this revelation.
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. Daniel 2:27-30
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM
History reveals to us that the first part of the dream as recorded in Daniel 2: 31-40 with its interpretation have already taken place.
Head of Gold The Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchanezzar lasted until 539 B.C.
Chest of Silver was the Med/Persian Empire lasting until 331 B. C.
Kingdom of Brass referred to the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great until 323 B.C.
Kingdom of Iron referred to the Roman Empire and includes the “bruising” of Christ referring to the Crucifixion of Christ.
The remainder of the prophecy is yet to come and climaxes upon Christ’s final return with God establishing His Kingdom forever.
During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed; no one will ever conquer it. It will shatter all these kingdoms into nothingness, but it shall stand forever, indestructible.45 That is the meaning of the Rock cut from the mountain without human hands—the Rock that crushed to powder all the iron and brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold. “Thus the great God has shown what will happen in the future, and this interpretation of your dream is as sure and certain as my description of it.”Daniel 2:44-45 (TLB)
So, why is all this important for you or me?
1. God is in Control of every detail of our life. He places Kings and Presidents to rule over us, the good and the bad. For those who seek God with their heart and accept His Gracious Gift of Salvation, we can trust that His Plan will work together for our ultimate good. We may not understand the mysteries of it all; but, we can trust Him with our eternity.
2. We are to humbly serve those who are placed over us and around us. In that we may be the testimony that will lead to their salvation. Is there any suffering too great for the eternal Salvation of one soul?
3. We know that Jesus will one day return to establish His Kingdom for all of Eternity. With that certainty lying before us, why would we ever neglect to receive His gift of Salvation?
He (GOD) hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8
I may not understand all the events that surround me in this present world, but I can trust God. I can trust in His Love, Grace, and Mercy Which He has poured out on me, as unworthy as I have been. For that reason, let me each day lay down my heart and all to serve God, humbly and with certainty.
[bctt tweet=”Whatever the Circumstances in this world, I can trust in God Perfect Plan of Love for me.” username=”effiedarlene”]
I chose for you today this song—it is based on a poem by William Cowper.
God Moves In A Mysterious Way
The words follow:
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
-William Cowper
Living Bible (TLB) The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.