Do We Hear God When He's Talking?
Last night, I was teaching from Daniel in my in-home small group. You probably remember the story about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; how he demanded that his counselors first reveal the dream prior to giving their interpretation. When they were unable to comply, the king gave the order to have all the counselors killed. Then, Daniel shows up. He and his three friends had taken their case before God, and He had revealed the dream.
As Daniel met with Nebuchadnezzar, the king must have listened with stark amazement. Someone had actually been able to honor his demands. Prophecy prognosticators love to expound upon the dream and its past and future events, but there is one statement in Daniel’s record that has previously escaped by notice. In verse 37 of chapter two, Daniel tells the king, “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory.” Notice, “God did this, not you!”
What’s so important about that statement? Well, had Nebuchadnezzar listened to and believed that one statement, he would have been spared seven years of insanity! You see, if you fast forward to chapter four, you read about his second dream. In verse 25, Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar that “They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
Get the point? In that first dream, Nebuchadnezzar had been given the opportunity to know and place his faith in the One, True and Living God; but, he was so interested in the interpreter that he missed the interpretation!
Are we any different? We are so caught up in our expectations, demands, and preconceived ideas that we often miss the message when God speaks. We attend Sunday morning services with such a desire to “have it our way” that we miss God’s revelation of His way. Yet, whenever God speaks, He holds us accountable. Meeting with Him is serious business! Nebuchadnezzar missed his day of opportunity, and he ended up paying the price.
God is speaking. Are we listening? If not, what is blocking the reception?
As Daniel met with Nebuchadnezzar, the king must have listened with stark amazement. Someone had actually been able to honor his demands. Prophecy prognosticators love to expound upon the dream and its past and future events, but there is one statement in Daniel’s record that has previously escaped by notice. In verse 37 of chapter two, Daniel tells the king, “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory.” Notice, “God did this, not you!”
What’s so important about that statement? Well, had Nebuchadnezzar listened to and believed that one statement, he would have been spared seven years of insanity! You see, if you fast forward to chapter four, you read about his second dream. In verse 25, Daniel warns Nebuchadnezzar that “They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
Get the point? In that first dream, Nebuchadnezzar had been given the opportunity to know and place his faith in the One, True and Living God; but, he was so interested in the interpreter that he missed the interpretation!
Are we any different? We are so caught up in our expectations, demands, and preconceived ideas that we often miss the message when God speaks. We attend Sunday morning services with such a desire to “have it our way” that we miss God’s revelation of His way. Yet, whenever God speaks, He holds us accountable. Meeting with Him is serious business! Nebuchadnezzar missed his day of opportunity, and he ended up paying the price.
God is speaking. Are we listening? If not, what is blocking the reception?
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