When God Transforms

Transformation is God's Work

Daniel 4 When Paul wrote to the Romans, he reminded them that when we become believers, we have a responsibility to be living sacrifices and that our minds are to be transformed from the inside out. (see Rom 12:1-2) This week we experienced the death and funeral of one of the longest reigning queens, and her eulogy reflected her life as a believer. Let no one say they did not know her life story. She may have worn a crown here on earth, but she laid that crown at the feet of Jesus when she entered eternity. How about us?

Daniel recorded the words of Nebuchadnezzar, who also, like Queen Elizabeth, had a spiritual transformation and voiced these words: “How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, and his authority continues from one generation to the next.” [Dan 4:3] God’s transformation from unbeliever to believer is life-changing, and we give glory to He who sits on the throne. The king wanted the world to know, so he recorded those words to show that he understood the transitory kingdom God had placed in his hands in contrast to the eternal kingdom of God.

If someone opened your diary, would they see your words of praise for God?

Seeking God and Finding Him

Seek and ye shall find

Deut 4-6 Seek God Early

Over and over, God reminded the Israelites to not forget the Lord God who brought them out of the cauldron of Egypt. He is saying, do not delay; seek Me early, and I will be found. Do not delay; seek Me early so I can guide you. Do not delay; seek Me early and not the false gods of Baal.

God is near to those who are seeking Him.

It took Nebuchadnezzar four long chapters for him to declare: “How great are his signs! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom will last forever and his authority continues from one generation to the next.” [Dan. 4:3] Yet that same God that Nebuchadnezzar came to know is the same God that Pharaoh and Belshazzar rejected.

Do not delay; seek Him early, and you can find Him.

Have you sought Him? Do you know Him?

Three Kings Who Learned God is God

daniel 4 to 6b graciousness of god.2ajpg

Daniel 4 to 6  Daniel, the righteous, served under several kings. With each, he had developed a relationship by which he could give them wise counsel. Daniel told each of them to renounce the gods of silver and gold. But, as they say, hindsight is a better teacher.

 

 

William_Blake_-_Nebuchadnezzar_(Tate_Britain)

Nebuchadnezzar was given a dream of what would happen if he did not worship Jehovah but worshiped the idol gods. Daniel pleaded with him to renounce his ways, but he conveniently put it off to another day. True to form, God’s time table was right on schedule. Nebuchadnezzar had  a full 7 yrs of living like a mad man.

 

To BelDaniel Rembrandt-Belshazzars-Feast-story-600bshazzar God sent a dramatic visual lesson. He was fearful yet chose to ignore the warning. It happened just as Daniel said; that very night he was killed.

 

 

 

daniel-in-the-lions-den-briton-riviereDarius listened to the voices of fools and regretted that a righteous man, Daniel, would be thrown to the lions because of his decision. 

 

 

 

Only Nebuchadnezzar and Darius learned how gracious God is when they repented and gave glory to God.

Belshazzar? Well, like Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew or like the man who built barns to store up his wealth, he found out God meant what He said. God called them all fools.

If God came to you and told you your days were numbered what would you do? There is time to repent and give glory to God. Remember what Jesus said: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” [Luke 5:32]

 

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