Saturday, March 19, 2022

NOW I KNOW

Today’s Reading: Daniel 3-4

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The Jewish historian Josephus called this a “most magnificent palace” that Herod the Great built on a promontory jutting out into the water. The pool in the centre was nearly Olympic in size and was filled with fresh water. A statue once stood in the centre. Paul may have been imprisoned on the grounds of this palace (Acts 23:35). Caesarea Maritima is a national park on Israel’s coastline. These ruins are a monument to the fourth empire in Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Rome (Daniel 2:40). The two young Israelis in the picture have probably heard of Daniel’s prophecies in Hebrew Bible studies, which continue throughout all the years of formal education in Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Daniel 3:17-18

If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.

 

King Nebuchadnezzar, in today’s reading, is progressing toward an understanding that there is only One true God. In chapter two he confesses, “Truly your God is the God of gods” (Daniel 2:47). All four emperors in Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream thought they were gods to be worshipped. Today’s reading (Daniel 3), describing the image of Nebuchadnezzar made of gold and his command to worship his idol, shows that he was probably the most proud one of them all. After the miracle of the preservation of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace, the king moved another step closer to the truth. This time he confesses, “There is no other god who can deliver like this” (Daniel 3:29b). Nevertheless, he still believes there are other gods.

In Daniel 4 we read of another dream and another interpretation by Daniel. Babylonian records have a seven-year blank in the history of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. He lost his mind for that period of time, and then he recorded his return to sanity with these words, “My understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honoured Him who lives forever!” (Daniel 4:34). He reassumed his throne and confessed, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the God of Heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. Those who walk in pride He is able to abase” (Daniel 4:37).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You are the One and only God! I pray that You will reveal to me more and more of Who You are. As the book of Hebrews tells me, the one “who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6b). So I come to You and ask for the reward of knowing You with greater understanding (my mind) and deeper experience (my heart). I pray this in the Name of the One who is in Himself, “the Image of the invisible God!” Jesus Christ (Messiah). Amen!!! (read Colossians 1:15-22).

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I grew up listening to Bible stories. In grade seven I did a huge mural on the wall of our classroom featuring the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon was one of those wonders. In my imagination I saw Nebuchadnezzar proudly strutting along the parapets of the gardens saying, “Is not this great Babylon I have built…” (Daniel 4:30a) and then humbled for the seven years of mental collapse, roaming around those gardens eating grass. I’ve since discovered that while much of Babylon has been excavated by archeologists, there is no evidence that such a garden ever existed. Of course, it’s in the writings of the later Greek authors, not in the Bible. In this blog I’ve quoted the words of King Nebuchadnezzar, recorded in the Bible, about his understanding of the true God. I want to invite you to consider the words of a prayer by a present-day ruler, President Museveni of Uganda. Many Ugandan leaders believe that the “Unity” message of the “World Embrace” ministry featured in this blog yesterday is an answer to their leader’s prayer (click here for his prayer, the audio is indistinct, but the words are written so we can read his prayer). The former dictator, Idi Amin, who murdered huge numbers of his own people, was Muslim, and today Uganda is holding back the tide of Islam that threatens to engulf the rest of Africa. Let us pray fervently for the Ugandan people and its President.

Yours with the prayer that more and more world leaders will acknowledge the true God!!!

David

P.S. Please don’t think of Uganda as a collection of mud and grass huts. Its cities are modern and its government apparatus very sophisticated. Below is a photo taken in the capital city of Kampala, population 1.2 million.

 

 

4 thoughts on “Saturday, March 19, 2022

  1. Amazing prayer by the Prime-minister of Uganda. Blessings on them all. A real blessing on the country especially after the rule of Idi Amin. Praying for Ukraine & Russia. Anything is possible with God so we should keep them continually in prayer. Blessings on Reynold & Cathy Mainse and their work in Uganda. Amen

    • Amen. These are amazing prayers and confessions of leaders of nations.
      Father, forgive our nation also for its many sins. You know them all – they are a stench in Your nostrils and I know You weep over these people You have made. You tell us over and over again that Your desire is that people would come to You and be saved.
      Bless and send out Your workers to bring the message of salvation, of freedom, the message that transforms even kings and kingdoms. Open the doors for Your Word to go out freely to all people everywhere, and give people ears to hear and heed Your call. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, amen

  2. For the 19th day from “Prayer Map of Canada”
    1. Pray that the Holy Spirit will influence our governmental leaders as they make vital decisions that shape Canadian society. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-2)
    2. Pray for Prince Edward Island.
    Pray for the leaders of the province, that God’s Spirit would influence them to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. ((1 Timothy 2: 1-4)
    Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses beaming forth the illuminating truth of God’s Word.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.