Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Tues.’s Devo - The King’s Dream

Read: Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16 Daniel woke up from his dream and went immediately to see Arioch, the man who had been ordered to execute all the wise men of Babylon. He told him not to kill them because he had the meaning of the king’s dream. Arioch quickly took Daniel to see the king. *** Before Daniel would tell him the dream and its meaning he made it perfectly clear that there was a God in heaven that revealed to him the king’s dream and was revealing to the king the future. *** Then he told him the dream. He saw a huge frightening statue that had its head of gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze and its legs were iron. Its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay. As he watched a rock was cut from a mountain, but not with human hands. It struck the feet smashing them to bits. The whole statue fell and broke into pieces but the rock became a great mountain that covered the whole earth. *** This dream is being fulfilled in our day before our very eyes as we see the Kingdom of God crush the power of Satan’s kingdom of deep state, Luciferian corrupt powers on earth and in heaven. It is glorious to watch! *** Daniel explained that he was the head of gold and the other metals were kingdoms that would arise after him throughout history. The last kingdom of iron and clay would represent a kingdom that would try to mix man with machine. It would be crushed by the Kingdom cut from the Rock of Christ. That is us! We are a part of the Kingdom cut from the Rock. God’s Kingdom will never be destroyed or conquered. *** When Nebuchadnezzar heard the dream, he bowed before Daniel and praised his God. He exalted Daniel to a high position and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon as well as chief over all his wise men. Daniel requested Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon and it was granted. *** Then, Nebuchadnezzar had a huge gold statue made and set up in the plain of Dura. He brought all his officials to its dedication and ordered that when they heard the sound of the musical instruments, they were to bow to the ground to worship his gold statue. Anyone who refused would be thrown into the fire. *** Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow so they were brought before Nebuchadnezzar and given one more chance to bow. Nebuchadnezzar said that no god would be able to save them. They explained that they would never bow, and if they were thrown into the blazing furnace, the God who they served was able to save them. But if he didn’t, they would still never bow to his gods. Needless to say, this made Nebuchadnezzar so mad, he had the furnace turned up seven times hotter than usual and had his strongest men throw them into the fire, bound and with their clothes still on. The fire was so hot, it killed the men who threw them in. *** As the king watched he saw the three men and another that looked like one of the gods walking around in the furnace. He called them out and they came out alive with not so much as the smell of smoke on them. Nebuchadnezzar was so amazed he made a decree that whoever spoke a word against their God, they would die and have their house burned to the ground. He proclaimed that there was no god who could rescue like this. They were promoted to an even higher position in his kingdom. *** Peter explained that the end of this world was coming, so love was most important. We have all been given gifts to use for his kingdom. We will face fiery trials that make us partners with Christ in his suffering. We look forward to the great revealing of Christ to the world. If we suffer, let it be for Christ’s sake. We are blessed to be called by his name. Judgment is coming and it will begin in God’s household. We want to be found suffering for Him, not for our sins. *** Peter gave a special appeal to the elders in the churches to care for the flock that God has entrusted them with. They are to lead by example so that in the end, they will receive a crown of glory and honor. *** To the ones who are younger, they are to respect the authority of the elders and be humble. God raises the humble, but he resists the proud. *** Everyone must be aware of our enemy, the devil who seeks to devour us. We must stand firm against this and be strong in our faith. Suffering lasts for a season and then comes restoration and strength. God will place us on his firm foundation. All glory to God! *** Lord, thank you that you chose us to live in this great time in history to see your Kingdom coming to earth in such a powerful way. May we remember to be led by love and Holy Spirit. May we not be given to fear or hopelessness, but with joy and power.

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