Daniel 4

I love the story recorded in Daniel 4.  After seeing God's protection of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (recorded in Chapter 3), it would have seemed that King Nebuchadnezzar would have been thoroughly convinced of who the One True God is - - but nope, he had to have Chapter 4!  It is such a dramatic story.  Daniel is more than a little uneasy about telling Neb the interpretation of Neb's dream.  I can certainly understand why!  He'd seen the results of Neb's temper and power in the past, and Neb was a man one didn't want to cross!

I love that God loved Neb enough to warn him of what He was about to do, agonize that Neb ignored God's warning, and thrill to the conclusion.  The story in between could be a movie.  It is graphically written and I am visual, so the drama plays out easily in my imagination.  And at the end of it all, after Neb has come back to his senses, he worships the One and Only God.

And so it is for us.  God loves us enough to lead us to a place of complete reliance on Him where we learn that He alone is worthy of our praise.  He deserves our praise and worship no matter what our circumstances.

Praise you, Lord, for you are worthy of all wealth and power and wisdom and strength, all honor and glory and praise.

****

The Lord of Heaven and earth came down to earth as a man - fully God and fully human - to become the final sacrifice ever needed so we could be restored to Him in the perfect relationship that existed before Sin entered the garden of Eden.  A thought occurred to me a couple of days ago that had never previously entered my mind.   As fully God in human form, when He looked up at the stars He had created He knew their names.  An amazing reality!  I cannot even conceive what an incredible sacrifice it was for God to become man to save us.  "He humbled Himself and carried the cross"....the words to the song have even more meaning to me this morning.  "Love so amazing!"

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  (John 3:16-17)

The opportunity for salvation is there for all humanity - but it is up to us to reach out and accept the gift.
He who has the Son has life, but he who does not have the Son, does not have life.

The Bible has made the way very clear.