Quote for the Day
“…a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘… sovereignty has been removed from you…’ ” (NASB)
Today's Prayer
This week pray for those on the road that they will listen to God in a soft voice and not have to wait for the harsh message. Pray that God will whisper His grace and salvation to those you encounter.
Daniel 4:28-33
Daniel 4:28-33 (NIV)28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal , 30 he said, “Is not this the great I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. 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.”33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
Message
You are the king of the earth. You have it all under control. A dream scares you to no end. A man who has ALWAYS been right in telling your dreams says you need to change or you will become as a wild animal in the wilderness. So what do you do? If you are Nebuchadnezzar you do nothing.For the next year Nebuchadnezzar makes absolutely NO change in his life. We serve a patient God, but we do not know when His patience will turn to judgment. For King Nebuchadnezzar it was one year after his big “warning dream”. Verse 30 reflects the king’s attitude on life and God:”Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”It is easy to see that he gives God no credit. God’s patience now turns to judgment, as we see in verse 31, “The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, ‘this is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.’ ” (emphases mine) God has now moved to a language that is severe and harsh, but appears to be the only language Nebuchadnezzar can understand.What language does God need to use to talk to you? What will it take for you to stop talking and start listening?