The Wonders of the Most High
Read: Daniel 4:1-3; 34-37 Those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (v. 37) I have had my share of humbling (even humiliating) experiences. When I was younger, I would agonize when I failed a test; forgot my lines onstage; or made a fool of myself at a party. I did everything I […]
Who Rules?
Read: Daniel 4:4-9; 19-25; 28-33 The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. (v. 25) Nineteenth-century British politician John Dalberg-Acton is credited with the maxim, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The more power humans have, the less accountable they are for the evil they […]
With Us in the Furnace
Read: Daniel 3:19-30 The fourth [man] is like a son of the gods. (v. 25) At the end of A Tale of Two Cities, a young woman faces execution. At her side is Charles Darnay, who goes to the guillotine in a friend’s place. When she learns of Darnay’s sacrifice, she says, “I mind nothing […]
Which God?
Read: Daniel 3:1-18 We will not serve your gods. (v. 18) One of the tools the US Secret Service uses to combat counterfeiting is a document entitled “Know Your Money.” It features detailed photos and descriptions not of counterfeits, but of genuine dollar bills. The best way to spot a fake is to know the […]
Pray with Words of Hope
God works through our prayers. Prayers go where our feet cannot, and the Holy Spirit intercedes in our prayers even when we do not know what words to say. Prayer connects the body of Christ near and far around the world. The following prayer requests were shared by our ministry team in Turkey. The names […]
Kingdom of Heaven
Read: Daniel 2:36-49 The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. (v. 44) Nebuchadnezzar provides a lesson in being careful what you wish for. When the God in heaven revealed the meaning of the king’s dream, it was not good news. Nebuchadnezzar’s dazzling kingdom would one day be crushed. […]
There Is a God
Read: Daniel 2:25-35 There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. (v. 28) The main theme of the book of Daniel is that “the God of heaven” is greater than any force on earth. Nebuchadnezzar considered himself the greatest man on earth. He believed that he could bend any person, place, or thing to […]
Seek Mercy
Read: Daniel 2:17-24 Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (v. 19) Daniel’s immediate response to Nebuchadnezzar’s deadly threat was “prudence and discretion” (v. 14). Unlike his peers, Daniel did not panic. That being said, Daniel still had to do something. After all, if Nebuchadnezzar did not get results, heads would roll. But once again, […]
No One on Earth
Read: Daniel 2:1-16 The thing that the king asks is difficult. (v. 11) Not long after Daniel completed his training, he faced a dire situation. The Babylonian king made a “difficult” (that is, impossible) demand. If Nebuchadnezzar’s advisors failed to report the king’s forgotten dream, he would execute all of them—Daniel included. Daniel’s colleagues panicked. […]