Oh come all you weary
Come and find rest
I long for you love you
To give you My best
My grace is still waiting
To hear your voice say
“Jesus my Savior
I trust You today”
When I look around the world my heart is heavy with grief. So much of me wants to go home, to be with my Lord and Savior. To escape the pain, sorrow, division and violence that grows around us. Perhaps in part that is due to my age; but, then I hear His call. If He delays His return it is to call one more broken soul to His bosom. For that reason, I have written this poem, Oh Come all You Weary. My prayer is it touch your heart today and you will come to know Him.
Oh Come All You Weary
by Effie Barba
An overwhelming sadness Lord
I cannot overcome
So Many Lost and Broken Souls
Who Do not know Your Son
This world You made so intricate
Complex with beauty great
Now rushing fast to judgment day
For sin has sealed its fate
Do they not hear your cry?
Oh come all you weary
Come and find rest
I long for you love you
To give you My best
My grace is still waiting
To hear your voice say
"Jesus my Savior
I trust You today"
So Bring all your sorrow
Your sin and your loss
Repentantly, humbly
To lay at my cross
Oh Lord how I long now
To see your dear son
Transformed in a moment
My heart with yours one
To love then as you do
Your righteous mine
In Wondrous Amazement
Your Glory to shine
Would my heart then cry?
Oh come all you weary
Come and find rest
I long for you, love you
To show you His best
His grace is still waiting
To hear your voice say
"Jesus my Savior
I trust You today"
So Bring all your sorrow
Your sin and your loss
Repentantly, humbly
To lay at His cross
Dear Lord make me patient
To live out each day
Displaying your Glory
With all that I say
Perhaps one more heart
Will beckon you in
Accepting Your Gift
Repenting of sin
They will respond when you say,
Oh come all you weary
Come and find rest
I long for you love you
To give you My best
My grace is still waiting
To hear your voice say
"Jesus my Savior
I trust You today"
So Bring all your sorrow
Your sin and your loss
Repentantly, humbly
To lay at my cross
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:24
Throughout the life of Daniel, we see the very distinct contrasts between those who really honor God and those who do not. Never concerning for his own comfort nor the consequences that could ensue, Daniel chose to always do the next right thing. There was never a question as to compromising. Nor was there ever a moment of self-pride. Always he lived his life to honor God, in all that he did. Recognizing that God is Sovereign, he trusted Him for every detail. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that only God deserved the Glory. Perhaps that is why Daniel so easily moved even in the circles of high, prestigious positions. God always promises to exalt the lowly of heart. What about you? Does your life really honor God? Do you always remember in whose hand resides your very Breath?
One Moment in Time within the early church
Paul, the apostle was bold in his speaking the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, both to the gentiles and to the Jews. In Thessalonica, Paul proclaimed Jesus Christ as the way for salvation. He knew the scripture well and was able to show them that Jesus was the Messiah, fulfilling all the scriptures. But that made some mad and they gathered a crowd of evil, violent men to create a violent scene and to get rid of Paul. He was escorted out a back way and taken to Athens where he was dropped off.
When Paul was dropped off in Athens, he began to look at all their idols and shrines to gods. They even had one designated to the unknown God. He felt compassion for these people. As he wandered through that city, speaking he got the attention of the lead philosophers. Wanting to hear what he had to say, the philosophers brought him to the hill where he spoke.
Acts 17:
“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c]25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
To Really Honor God with Your Life
Think about this. The people in Thessalonica tried to kill Paul and create a scene to discredit him at the same time. Yet, now in front of a Grecian group, tied tightly to their worship of many gods (Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, etc). Would you or I be that bold?
Daniel was. He did not hesitate to tell King Nebuchadnezzar the truth and that lead to the King acknowledging that God is the one true God who manages in the affairs of men. It is God who holds your very breath and controls the events of men, so why would we not honor Him with our life. But King Nebuchadnezzar’s son, though he had seen all that God did, refused to honor God. Hence, his time came quickly to an end. During a very wild party, King Belshazzar called for the golden cups taken from the Jerusalem synagogue and used them for all to get drunk from. Suddenly a hand appeared and wrote on the wall these words, mene, mene,[ax] teqel, and pharsin.
Ultimately the King called in Daniel to interpret the dream after his mother reminded him of Daniel’s ability to interpret dreams.
God in Whose Hand Resides Your Very Breath
23You praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods[av] that cannot see or hear or comprehend. But you have not glorified the God who has in his control[aw] your very breath and all your ways! 24 Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed
25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: mene, mene,[ax] teqel, and pharsin.[ay]26 This is the interpretation of the words:[az] As for Mene[ba]—God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end. 27 As for Teqel—you are weighed on the balances and found to be lacking. 28 As for Peres[bb]—your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5.
Within a few hours, the king was indeed dead, and Babylon fell to the Mede/Persian empire.
Daniel Did Really Honor God with His Life
Daniel was taken into a new position, now with Darius the Mede. He had a very important position which made many jealous. So, as typical of the time, they convinced Darius to declare that no one may worship any god except to bow to the King for 30 days. These jealous men came to the king and said, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 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.
8 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.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. “Daniel 6.
It would have been easy to close the door and just pray alone, but Daniel continued to pray as he always had with his windows open. So, they thought they had trapped him. Because he had signed the injunction, the King had no way of reversing the order. So, Daniel got thrown into the lion’s den. Ultimately this led to the King worshipping God.
Daniel 6:
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 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. 27 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, Does Your Life Really Honor God in Whose Hand Resides Your Very Breath?
Were we to truly remember that our very breath resides in the hand of God, each breath; would we be more likely to really honor God with our life?
Furthermore, never forget Ephesians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 4 Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world. That we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ. According to the purpose of his will. 6 To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood. The forgiveness of our trespasses. According to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight. 9 Making known[c] to us the mystery of his will. According to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time. To unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance. Having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. 12 So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 Who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.
Conclusion
Not only has He given us breath, but He has given us everything we need to live a life full of His Power. Not one day, but rather today. What would your life look like if you truly believed this? As His redeemed, beloved, chosen child, heir of the kingdom, endowed with all spiritual blessings, indwelt with His wisdom, power and love, what is too hard for us to do?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved. Psalm 80:19
King Nebuchadnezzar had seen the miraculous interpretation of his dream concerning all that was to come on earth. How generously God entreated Nebuchadnezzar with power and with knowledge! He had allowed His expansion throughout the earth. Although Nebuchadnezzar believed it was his fake gods and his own might that made him so successful. Still, God had a plan that would even bring this powerful, arrogant man to his knees. If we recognize how God Almighty humbled this powerful King, then we realize two very important truths.
1. God’s Sovereign love is enough to transform the hardest of hearts, if only that heart seeks the truth and is willing to be broken and contrite.
2. We cannot judge or determine whom God will save; therefore, we must proclaim Him to all, praying for their souls.
After all, whom am I to believe I deserve His salvation more than another? If I do believe that, then do I really know Him? He only receives those who recognize that they cannot work their own way to salvation. As David wrote,
Psalm 51:
13 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right[b] spirit within me…..
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 149:4
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
The Most Powerful, Arrogant Man on Earth
King Nebuchadnezzar was in his day the most powerful man on Earth. He was number one in cultural achievements as well as power. Although God had sent Daniel to advise him that all he had was given him by God Almighty, he remained arrogant. Believing he was the reason for all he had, King Nebuchadnezzar had been forced to acknowledge that God was worthy of praise as was concluded in Chapter 3 of Daniel. The King had witnessed and even seen a glimpse of Jesus in the furnace. After this, he declared,
Daniel 3: 28 “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside[f] the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 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.”
Despite this, King Nebuchadnezzar was not ready yet to accept Almighty God as his own, laying aside his self-aggrandizement. After all it is hard for someone who has everything, earth can offer to humbly bow before God. Just like the rich young ruler
Luke 18:
18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
24Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
God Almighty Humbled the Most Arrogant King
And so it was that God Almighty gave Nebuchadnezzar another dream. Once more he sought the interpretation from his own soothsayers and his gods, but to no avail. He then asked Daniel to interpret the dream. The dream did make Daniel sad; but he told the King that he would be humbled by a 7-year time of being brought so low as to lose everything. He would live as a wild animal during those years, if he did not humble himself, God would humble him.
That is what is suggested by what Daniel said almost pleadingly, “ 27 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.”
Do you not hear the compassion of Daniel for the King? Daniel wanted the salvation of even this man who had taken him captive, so many years before.
For God’s hand had been reaching forth to this pagan King all these years. Still God had not made his final statement. For a year this decree was held back, patiently waiting for the King to repent. Then came the day when the King declared.
“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
Daniel 4:
31 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, 32 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.” 33 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.
A Repentant Humbled King Praising God Almighty
34 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; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; None can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
36 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. 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.
And thus we are reminded:
2 Corinthians 7: 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Ephesians 1: God Almighty Gives Us All We Need
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.
Titus 2:
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Revelation 7 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
God is Sovereign over all the earth
We who know Him must bow humbly in wonder as to how was it possible He chose me?
No one is too far from Him, so shouldn’t we be praying for all our leaders. And for other leaders in the world such as Xi Jinping and for Vladimir Putin?
And we who know Him, should remain His fearless warriors as we march on toward eternity with Him.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
It is hard for even the most powerful to escape the All Pursuing, All Powerful God of Love. This King Nebuchadnezzar was about to learn. For God is near to any who seek Truth.
Nebuchadnezzar was considered the most powerful King of the Babylonian Empire. Shrewd, intelligent, and ruthless; he marched the Babylonian empire into a successful reign of the region. Babylon was felt to be a great seat of learning and culture. The Assyrian Empire essentially fell when a Babylonian-Medea coalition overtook Nineveh. The last Persian King tried to restore his power by making an alliance with Egypt (as did also Judah, despite Assyria overtaking Northern Israel). Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt as well as Judah, making himself a great war hero. Soon after he became King in his father’s place. But he was about to meet God. Hence one all pursuing powerful God can transform the most wicked, if only their eyes open to the truth. It may begin slowly, but step by step God presents His case even to King Nebuchadnezzar.
It is said that in his inaugural speech, Nebuchadnezzar gave tribute to Marduk (one of the false gods of their day. He is quoted as saying, “O merciful Marduk, may the house that I have built endure forever, may I be satiated with its splendor, attain old age therein, with abundant offspring, and receive therein tribute of the kings of all regions, from all mankind.” (Kerrigan, 39)[1] King Nebuchadnezzar was unaware that he was about to meet The All Pursuing, Powerful God-the great I AM, creator of the universe who allowed and orchestrated even King Nebuchadnezzar ability to rise to power. Nothing can happen on earth, but God permissive will allows it and God will even use that which is evil to accomplish what He loves—the redemption of His own.
A First Glimpse of One ALL Pursuing Powerful God
In chapter 2 of Daniel, we find King Nebuchadnezzar very disturbed by a dream. Yet, the details of the dream escape him, only the essence of its terror. He calls in all his wisemen and magicians, asking them to tell him the dream and the interpretation. When they said they could not do it, even on threat of death, they make a very important statement.
“There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” Daniel 2:11
But they did not know the real God who does dwell with man.
Therefore, it appeared that all would be put to death. Well, but God had another plan. Daniel asked the King to give him one day to ask God for the answer. So, that night Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishel and Azariah) prayed all night and in the morning, Daniel knew the dream and the interpretation. That is what he presented to the King but not before having thanked God.
Daniel 2:20-23
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; 22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 23 To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”
A Dream Revealed and Interpreted
But notice this, God had revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar the future of this world we live in. Notice the detail and the accuracy to this point.
27 Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: 29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. 30 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. Daniel 2: 27-30
I encourage you to read the remainder of Chapter 2.
One All Powerful God who Reveals
If you look at the dates and times, remember God revealed this to King Nebuchadnezzar nearly 600 years before Christ. There are many scriptures in the New Testament and later in Daniel that clarifies and gives even more detail regarding each of these periods.
But note the stone, not made by hand which will destroy all human empires.
I PETER 2: 4-11
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”[a]
8 and
“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
We the church are that Kingdom who soon will be raptured and then we will return with Him to set up His Kingdom as shown in Daniel 2.
Daniel 2: 44-45
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, 45 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.”
To this Nebuchadnezzar’s eyes saw the first glimpse of one all pursuing, all powerful God and he said.
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
But that was not enough to fully transform his heart, but it was a start.
HOW QUICKLY ONE FORGETS
Well, after all, Daniel did say that the head of gold was King Nebuchadnezzar. He then made a statue of gold and put it on display, telling everyone to bow down and worship the statue. Forgetting that it was God who allowed him the dream and the power, he wanted himself to be worshipped. How quickly do people forget what God has done for them in answering even the prayers of unredeemed sinners. He tries to draw them to Him, but they walk away.
Then, he threw the three young men who refused to bow before the statue into a burning pit.
Daniel 3: 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good.[c] But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.[d]18 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.”
One All Pursuing, all-powerful God gives the King a glimpse of Christ
Daniel 3 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” The Son of GOD-Jesus was there with them.
Then one step nearer to believing, the King declares:
“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside[f] the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 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.”
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
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Defying all odds, one man can stand strong, transforming a nation through the power of prayer. Knowing God is the answer we need.
It was 1857. No embers from earlier church revivals . The churches in the United States were dying and the USA was declining rapidly with them. Conflicts over slavery saw a nation was violently divided. Spiritually, the people had walked away from God and as the time passed, all appeared to be heading for disaster. Furthermore, a huge influx of immigrants arrived while the United States was already heading toward financial hard times. Financial Panic set in and financial devastation was just around the corner. There was one church in New York, that as a last stitch effort hired a lay man to begin visiting people door to door. Having a compassion for people and a heart for Christ, Jeremy Lamphier was that one man. But how can one man, stand strong transforming a nation defying all odds?
His diligent attempts to grow the church failed. Then, he thought, prayer was needed. He posted fliers throughout the city announcing a prayer meeting during the lunch hour for all who wished to stop by, beginning September 23, 1857. When the day arrived, he placed 20 chairs in the 3rd floor room and waited. At first it appeared no one would come. So, he sat and prayed alone. Then, gradually one by one six men arrived.
The following week there were 20 and then forty. On October 10, 1857 the stock market crashed, banks closed, railroads went bankrupt, factories closed, and unemployment rose. However, the numbers in the prayer meetings climbed to over 10,000 and spread throughout the nation and later around the world. Revival came from one man who had the idea to simply meet to pray. The civil war still came, life was hard. Meanwhile, millions around the world came to know Christ as Savior, defying all odds.
One Man Standing Strong, Defying All Odds
In 605 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar made his first invasion into Jerusalem and took captive the “brightest and the smartest of the royal line” to train them, indoctrinate them and use them for his advantage. Among these were Daniel. To ascertain their willingness to bow down, he had them castrated, placed them among the eunuchs, and ordered their names be changed. The new names were ones attached to pagan worship and pagan Gods, removing their own names which signified their faith in God. Additionally, he commanded their food be that from his own table; knowing this would defy their religious practices. In everything, he wanted them to become his puppets for political gain.
Despite his youth, Daniel stood strong defying all odds and ultimately transforming a nation. But part of that we will see later. But what were the characteristics of this young man that we can learn from? How are we to stand strong defying all odds so that we too can transform our nation?
Daniel 1:
3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family[a] and of the nobility,4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king.
6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 7 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
Daniel’s Faithfulness
8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.”
11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
Defying All Odds by God’s Strength
17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom. Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them. And among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore, they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.
How to Stand Strong, Defying All Odds, Transforming a Nation
Trust God. It begins with an unwavering faith; but that kind of faith comes as we ask for it. Sometimes that means we go through trials. As we see God work through our trials, our faith grows.
Prayer
Study to know more of Him
Determine to Follow God, regardless of how hard it may look at times.
Never forget, the victory already is ours
There have been no great revivals that were not started with at least one man praying fervently for this. As we continue the study in Daniel, we will find that his secret was spending time with God in prayer. He and his friends joined together in prayer as well and this was what gave them strength, faith, and hope.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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