Who is the Most High to You?

O. T. #1982  "Who is The Most High to You?"

July 14, 2021

Daniel 4

LET IT GLOW

You know, it is through the grace of God and His mercies that are new every morning that we are alive. He is such a good, good Father. That is who He is. And we are loved by God. He is perfect in all of His ways. If you are like me, we need God everyday and breathe because of Him. Yet we are sinners in need of His forgiveness all the time. And all the time, God is good.

Haven't we covered so much in just three chapters? So many visions and dreams, faith declared, and the working of our God for His faithful children. Daniel and his friends were the first group of Jews to be deported to Babylon.

In review:

•  Daniel determined in his heart to be true to his God and God was faithful to His obedient children. They remained strong, even when refusing the king's food, probably offered to idols.(chapter 1)
• When king Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream, his magicians could not tell him details nor its meaning. Daniel disclosed the details of the dream, its meaning, and gave glory to God for the revelation. Then Daniel was promoted. (chapter 2)
• Then everyone was commanded to bow to the golden image, a huge idol. Daniel's three friends refused, fearing only God. Being cast into the fiery furnace that was heated 7 times hotter as punishment, they were joined by Jesus walked around in the furnace with them, and were not harmed because of their faithfulness. King Neb was astonished as he saw this and proclaimed a new decree that no one was to speak anything against their God, least they be killed and their household. (chapter 3) 

Do we stand for Jesus when others fall down to idols? When we are in the  fire of affliction, do we turn to Jesus to be with us? Do others see our faith in what we say and do (for the glory of God)? Are we made new daily by Jesus, our Savior? Do we declare His deliverance, healing of broken hearts, restoration of our testimony? 

LET IT GROW

Now in chapter 4, king Neb has another dream, which was about a tree. There could have been a passing of 20-30 years between chapters 3 and 4. The king sent a message to all the people throughout the world:

• Peace and prosperity to you!
• I want you to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.
• How great are His signs, how powerful His wonders! His kingdom will last forever, His rule through all generations.

What a declaration for a pagan king, one who worshiped false gods and idols. Did you know that the phrase, the Most High, appears 13 times in Daniel?

The title refers to God's ability to overrule man's kingdoms and His superiority over all so called gods. He learned this the hard way. God taught Nebuchadnezzar that His kingdom agenda sovereignly rules over all. (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

Profession does not always mean possession. King Neb still did not believer in Daniel's God completely or submit to Him alone. (verse 8) He had respect for Daniel, yet he had his own god, Marduk, the head of all Babylonian gods.

Do we see and experience the powerful wonders of God and His great signs to us? Do He perform great wonders for us to behold? Look around at what we call nature. God has created all things, controls all things, plus plans and carries them out for His glory and our good. Gravity of the moon causes the sea edges to not flood. Winds and seas obey Him. He decrees life and death. Do we recognize God is sovereignly controlling all? 

People may attend church services and use spiritual language, but they may not really honor God with their lives. How well does our obedience match up with our beliefs?

 

LET  IT GO

Thank You Father, we can trust You will, Your Word, You ways to be the best, not ours.