Thoughts

Background

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Matt Seymour

The book of Ezekiel showed us the prophecies of the the beginning of Israel’s captivity. Daniel’s book is of the latter years of their captivity. The visions God gave Ezekiel were meant to be a comfort to the Jews in the midst of their captivity, and the same is true of Daniel’s visions, as their captivity dragged on. Knowing that God was still speaking to them and had plans for them was surely something that helped them make it through.

Daniel is considered one of the most prominent prophets. He lived in the courts of some of the greatest kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Darius. 

The first six chapters of this book are historical and easy to understand. The last six chapters are of a prophetic nature and are not so easy to understand. They do clearly speak of the coming Greek and Roman kingdoms, and they clearly speak of the coming Messiah. 

No One Is Beyond Hope

Going back to chapter 4, where King Nebuchadnezzar gave praise to God. Remember who this is. He is the proud and haughty king of Babylon who boasted about how great and mighty he was, how he could do anything because of his great power. He was the evil king who God used to bring his chosen people into captivity. And here, near the end of his life, he has come to know who the one true God is, and he publicly, before the whole world, gives God praise.

Is there someone in your life, perhaps a loved one, whom you think is beyond God’s reach? Someone who sees no need for God or for forgiveness or redemption? Remember Nebuchadnezzar. God can reach anyone. 

I’ve told the story before, but I’ll repeat a condensed version of it here for those who might be new. I was not brought up in a Christian home. When I became a believer in Jesus at the age of sixteen, my dad told me I was a fool. Over the years I tried several times to share the reality of Jesus with him, and what he did in my life. Nearly every time, I ended up in tears because of the hardness of my dad’s heart and mind. I finally gave up, and I prayed that God would bring someone into his life that he would listen to. Finally, when my dad was very old, just about a year before he died, a neighbor was able to bring my dad to the Lord. And today, I know that someday I’ll see him again.

If God can save Nebuchadnezzar, if God can save my dad, He can bring your loved one into a relationship with Him, too. Don’t give up. Don’t stop praying. Be faithful. Hang in there. God loves that person more than you do.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-6 ESV

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