(Read Daniel 2:36-38)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. Yesterday we saw how God graced Daniel to see King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel was able to describe the dream in great detail.
For the next few days we will look at the interpretation of the dream, as provided by Daniel, by God’s grace. Daniel had a lot to say, so we will break it up into ‘bite-sized’ portions.
Daniel said to the king, “That was your dream. Now we will tell the king what it means. King, you are the most important king. The God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory. He has given you control, and you rule over people and the wild animals and the birds. Wherever they live, God has made you ruler over them all. King Nebuchadnezzar, you are that head of gold on the statue.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. All earthly authority operates under the permission of our God in heaven.
a) The Apostle Paul said, “All of you must obey the government rulers. Everyone who rules was given the power to rule by God. And all those who rule now were given that power by God.” (Romans 13:1).
b) God is the ultimate authority. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. While He does not actively make everything happen in the earth — because He allows the system of sowing and reaping, cause and effect, and the free will of humans to run its course — God is still sovereign and any authority in the earth is authority He has permitted.
c) God can prevent and He can permit. Whatever He permits, He has purpose wrapped up in.
2. Acknowledge the awesome sovereignty of God.
a) Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, the man with ultimate authority in his kingdom, “The God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory. He has given you control, and you rule over people and the wild animals and the birds. Wherever they live, God has made you ruler over them all.”
b) Daniel acknowledged God’s involvement in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, even though Nebuchadnezzar had never acknowledged God.
c) Daniel did not think like many Christians think today. Daniel did not say, “Oh King, since you are good, holy, and righteous; since you have lived a life pleasing in God’s sight; since you have honored the Lord Jehovah since your youth, now the Lord is going to bless you.” No, Daniel did not focus on human performance. Daniel was laser-focused on God’s grace.
d) Daniel basically said, “Oh King, even though you have never acknowledged the only wise and true God, even though you have never called on His name, even though you have never worshipped him with your heart, God has still blessed you and made you the ruler of this kingdom. Do you know why Mr. King? God did not do it because you have been so good. God did it because He is so good. God did it by His grace!”
3. You have the grace to lead.
a) If you are in a leadership position of any kind, God has given you the grace to assume and excel in that position.
b) God did not start working in your life the day you accepted Jesus as Lord. God made plans for you before the world began. So even if you were in a leadership position before coming to know God, God wants you to know that He was already at work in your life and He placed you in the position to lead; even before you ever called out to Him.
c) Don’t pray and ask God to give you the grace to lead. If you do that you are praying from a position of need and not a position of grace. If you ask God to give you the grace to lead, then you are asking for something you believe you don’t already have. God wants you to know that He already placed the grace to lead IN you. Pray from a position of grace and ask God for the outworking of the internal. Ask God to help you to maximize the purpose and potential He has already placed down inside of you.
d) No matter what challenge you face at work today, no matter the size of the project, the size of the budget, the size of the issues or the number or opposers, God has already given you the grace to lead and succeed.
e) Greatness is IN you. The fullness of the measure of Christ is IN you. It is Christ IN you, the hope of glory!
f) God has already given you everything you need to succeed in life, by His grace. Access His grace to lead and succeed today and every day!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar that You gave him the position as king, even before he ever even acknowledged your existence. You were at work in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, even while he was a heathen. I learn from that and I acknowledge Your sovereignty in my own life. You did not wait to start working in my life the day I accepted Your Son Jesus as my Lord. No Father, You have been working in my life from the day I took my first breath. Not only that, but You made plans for me before the world began. You love me, You planned for me, and You blessed me richly, well before I ever called out to You. This helps me to understand that You have already graced me to lead and succeed. Everything I need is already IN me. I don’t pray from a position of need, as if I need you to give me something. I pray from a position of Grace, knowing You have already given me everything I need to succeed in life, and my goal now is simply the outworking of the internal. Greatness is IN me. The fulness of the measure of Christ is IN me. It is Christ IN me, the hope of the glory! I enter this day confident that I have been graced to lead and succeed. No project is too hard, no budget too big, and no opposition too strong, because I am graced to do this! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
