Quote for the Day

“…the tree you saw… you, O king, are that tree!”

Today's Prayer

This week ask God to show you His plan for your life. Pray that those on the road are comforted in their travels, knowing that God alone is in charge of all circumstances in their life and in their immediate situations.

Daniel 4:19-27

Daniel 4:19-27 (NIV)19 Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! 20 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, 21 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the beasts of the field, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds of the air- 22 you, O king, are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.23 “You, O king, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live like the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’24 “This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”

Message

Well, here we have the interpretation of the dream. Daniel is actually taken back when he hears the dream, and Nebuchadnezzar has to push him to tell the interpretation. The tree is the king, and the message from Daniel is that the king needs to turn from his sin and have mercy on the poor and maybe God will spare him the punishment.And what is the punishment? Seven years of living like an animal in the wilderness apart from all men. I believe we all would consider this a severe punishment. I also believe, if you think about it, it is even more severe to someone who has literally had the rule of the world and all its pleasures. Nothing has been withheld from this king, yet he continues to be unwilling to accept who God is and who is really in control.What will it take for you to understand who is really in control? Are you living life as if God was in control? God has a plan for each of us. We merely have to ask what it is, and He loves to tell and show what great blessings He has in store for each of us! WE just need to LISTEN. If you are like me you may have a habit of talking to God much more than listening to God. Try reversing that trend, the quiet solitude of hearing can have a dramatic impact on your relationship with God, and your daily living.