Hope and Purpose
Introduction
Living in challenging times …
A. BRING HOPE TO THE COMMUNITY (vv.4-7)
B. BELIEVE THAT GOD’S PURPOSE WILL BE FULFILLED IN HIS PERFECT TIMING (vv.8-11)
Conclusion
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 2:36-39, 44-45; 3:1-2
Daniel 2:36-39, 44-45; 3:1-2
Tue, 21 March 2023
God’s History or Your History?
Observation:
What is the difference between the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
(Dan 2:31-33, 38) and the statue that Nebuchadnezzar made (Dan 3:1)?
Deeper Reflection
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream troubled him so much that he had sleepless nights (Dan 2:1). And he was so desperate to know its true meaning that he made an unreasonable demand on his wise men that was impossible to meet, and he would destroy them all should they fail in the task (Dan 2:5, 10-12). But now that Daniel had made known to him both the content and the meaning of his dream, it was a great relief – given by God – for the king.After that, Nebuchadnezzar “made a statue (selem 22 ) of gold” (Dan 3:1). God had revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in his dream His plan of world history, which is symbolised by “a single great statue (selem)” (Dan 2:31). The statue is made up of a golden head, silver arms, bronze thighs, and iron legs with feet made up of a mixture of iron and clay (Dan 2:32-33). God said to Nebuchadnezzar clearly: “You are the head of gold” (v.39). But Nebuchadnezzar rejected God’s plan of world history. He did not want to be just a “head of gold”. He wanted to be a “statue of gold”! God said to him, “After you there will arise another kingdom”, symbolised by the silver arms (v.39). As a “statue of gold”, there is no such thing as “after you” for Nebuchadnezzar. And the shattering stone outside human control, representing God’s everlasting Kingdom (vv.44-45), was ignored and forgotten. Nebuchadnezzar the “statue of gold” was resisting the supreme kingship of God. What foolish and futile arrogance!Do you want God’s history for your life or do you want to write your own history?
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream troubled him so much that he had sleepless nights (Dan 2:1). And he was so desperate to know its true meaning that he made an unreasonable demand on his wise men that was impossible to meet, and he would destroy them all should they fail in the task (Dan 2:5, 10-12). But now that Daniel had made known to him both the content and the meaning of his dream, it was a great relief – given by God – for the king.After that, Nebuchadnezzar “made a statue (selem 22 ) of gold” (Dan 3:1). God had revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in his dream His plan of world history, which is symbolised by “a single great statue (selem)” (Dan 2:31). The statue is made up of a golden head, silver arms, bronze thighs, and iron legs with feet made up of a mixture of iron and clay (Dan 2:32-33). God said to Nebuchadnezzar clearly: “You are the head of gold” (v.39). But Nebuchadnezzar rejected God’s plan of world history. He did not want to be just a “head of gold”. He wanted to be a “statue of gold”! God said to him, “After you there will arise another kingdom”, symbolised by the silver arms (v.39). As a “statue of gold”, there is no such thing as “after you” for Nebuchadnezzar. And the shattering stone outside human control, representing God’s everlasting Kingdom (vv.44-45), was ignored and forgotten. Nebuchadnezzar the “statue of gold” was resisting the supreme kingship of God. What foolish and futile arrogance!Do you want God’s history for your life or do you want to write your own history?
22 In Aramaic
Application:
How do I deal with my not wanting to be just a “head of gold” but a “statue
of gold”?
Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
- Give thanks and praise
- Pray for pastors and staff: To be highly conscious of God’s story in their lives
- Pray for significant people
- Pray for those in need
- Pray for self
