There is More...

Feb. 8

Read: Daniel 4:1-3

There is More…

It is not enough to simply “believe God exists”. If you have heard it once, you have heard it 100 times… God is calling a people to himself that he desires for them to experience relationship with him and become “partakers of his divine nature.” (cf. 2 Peter 1:4) King Nebuchadnezzar had experienced on at least 2 occasions so far the power and might of the God of Israel - YHWH. The king genuinely believed that the God of Abraham was real… that he existed… and even that he was mighty and powerful… the “Most High God”. Yet, Nebuchadnezzar was not a “believer” or “God-Fearer”… he was not a “child of God”.

It is crazy to think that we may rightly recognize God’s existence, and still worship him as one of many “gods”. In that sense we are not really, fully recognizing God’s power and true nature. Notice how God continues to communicate with the king through dreams. Notice how he speaks to the king through Daniel. God is truly a God who seeks us out. We pretty much all expect that God speaks to his Children, but sometimes lose sight of the patient way he speaks to those who are not yet his… or may never be his! This is Nebuchadnezzar. He “praises God” in all the land, and still tries to worship the many false gods of Babylon.

“How great are God’s signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.” (v.3) It is pretty powerful for Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge that God’s kingdom is everlasting and that his is fleeting.

My wife has been reminding me lately of Phillipians 4:8- “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” What if God is working “great signs and mighty wonders” all around us each and everyday? (v.3) Would we notice them? Would it cause us to praise him more or less? God is giving us signs, especially as his people. If a pagan king can see and declare… how much more should / can we as God’s children?

God is calling you to experience his presence and power in this world each day. He is daily “multiplying peace” for us… his children. When our “spirits are troubled” he sends messengers and help. He speaks to us in visions. (cf. Acts 2) He gives us dreams to show the way. He puts people into our lives (ie. Daniel) who can help us identify what troubles our spirits and why we have no rest. This is the work of the “royal priesthood” for one another. (cf. 1 Peter 2:9) May we move beyond being like king Nebuchadnezzar, and into a deeper reliance on the Lord like Daniel and SMA. Love you all. - JDP