Daniel 2 (7)

Introduction
Paul explained that civil governments are God’s servants (Rom. 13.1-4). He sets kings down and raises them up (Prov. 8.15), and He causes all things that kings do to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8.28). It may take a while for God’s people to realize that, but they must cling to His Word and look to Him in faith. He moves the hearts of kings and rulers to accomplish His ends, as we see in Luke 2.1-3, and in Daniel 2.

Read Luke 2.1-3.

Read and Meditate on Daniel 2.

Think it Through
1.  God brought the people of Judah and Jerusalem to Babylon. He brought Daniel into Nebuchadnezzar’s court. He brought a dream to Nebuchadnezzar. And He brought the interpretive abilities of the Chaldeans to naught. To this point in our study, why has God done all this? What did He want to “put on the table” through Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel? Why do you suppose God thought it important to do this at this point, three years into their seventy-year captivity? What are we learning about God’s power to do the seemingly impossible?

2.  Daniel presents a study in faithfulness. He was God’s ambassador in a foreign court, and we can learn much from him about our calling as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom in a secular world. Thus far, what are the most important lessons to be learned from Daniel? How should you apply these in your own Kingdom-and-glory calling in your Personal Mission Field (1 Thess. 2.12; 2 Cor. 10.13-16)?

Meditate
“Such is the life of the devout, acknowledging that God is the source of understanding. He was the One who met Daniel’s needs at the right moment and assured him a safe harbor. And after being well supplied with that which was the best, Daniel did not prove forgetful of the gifts but sang praises in response to his holy benefactor.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore youon Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to besin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5.20, 21

Teach me, Lord, to focus not only on the “seens” of this life, but on the unseen things of Christ as well. Then I will…

Pray
Pray through Psalm 83. This psalm, like Psalm 74, was also written during a time of great prosperity and outward peace in Israel and Jerusalem. But Asaph could see into the hearts of Solomon and the leaders of Israel, and he knew where their compromising ways would lead. As you pray through this psalm, let it speak to you of God’s sovereignty over the nations and His power to change hearts.

Psalm 83 (St. Chrysostom: We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought)
O God, do not be quiet now; do not be silent, nor be still!
See how Your foes erupt in a row and those who hate You chafe at Your will.
Shrewdly they plan, conspiring as one, against Your daughters and Your sons.

“Come, let us wipe them out,” they say. “Let Israel’s name no more be heard!”
Bold they conspire to do us away, and covenant against You, O Lord.
Peoples and nations cast in their lot for this ambitious, wicked plot.

Deal with them, Lord, and bring them down, as You against old foes prevailed,
When You Midian cast to the ground and all her kings and princes assailed –
All who Your pastures sought to possess You brought to ruin and deep distress.

Make them like whirling dust, O God!  Scatter them like the windblown chaff!
Rage like a fire consuming a wood, like flames that burn a mountain pass!
Blow like a tempest, bring them to harm, and terrify them with Your storm!

Fill with dishonor every face that they may seek Your Name, O Lord.
Bring them to shame, dismay, and disgrace, and let them perish under Your Word,
That they may learn Your infinite worth, O God Most High of all the earth!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press).