(Read Daniel 4:19-25)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. In Daniel 4 King Nebuchadnezzar had another dream and this time the interpretation of it would have grave consequences for the king. As Daniel thought about the revelation God was giving him about the dream, and what it meant for King Nebuchadnezzar, he had pause. It’s obvious that Daniel did not want to tell Nebuchadnezzar what God was saying, because it was going to be bad for the king. But Daniel was obedient and Nebuchadnezzar was open to receive, even if it meant he was going to be corrected. Let’s pick up the story was Daniel was thinking about telling the king what the Lord was revealing to him.
The Bible says, “Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) became very quiet for a while. What he was thinking bothered him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its meaning make you afraid.” Then Belteshazzar answered the king, “My lord, I wish the dream were about your enemies, and I wish the meaning of the dream were about those against you. You saw a tree in your dream. The tree grew large and strong. Its top touched the sky, and it could be seen from all over the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, and it had plenty of fruit. The fruit gave plenty of food for everyone. It was a home for the wild animals, and its branches were nesting places for the birds. You saw that tree. King, you are that tree! You have become great and powerful. You are like the tall tree that touched the sky—your power reaches to the far parts of the earth.
“King, you saw a holy angel coming down from heaven. He said, ‘Cut the tree down and destroy it. Put a band of iron and bronze around the stump and leave the stump and its roots in the ground. Leave it in the grass in the field. It will become wet with dew. He will live like a wild animal. Seven seasons will pass while he is like this.’
“King, this is the meaning of the dream. God Most High has commanded these things to happen to my lord the king: King Nebuchadnezzar, you will be forced to go away from people. You will live among the wild animals. You will eat grass like cattle, and you will become wet with dew. Seven seasons will pass, and then you will learn this lesson. You will learn God Most High rules over human kingdoms and gives them to whoever he wants.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- When God gives you a Word for someone He expects you to release it, whether the Word is a Word of encouragement or correction.
- A Word from God can instruct, inspire and encourage. But it can also correct, rebuke and admonish (2 Tim 3:16).
- God will give you an audience with those in power. He will then give you the words to say, and along with the words, the grace to say what must be said!
- God loves us just the way we are. But when we are wrong, He loves us too much to leave us that way.
- When someone is not hearing from God for themselves, God will grace someone else to come to them with a Word from heaven. Sometimes that Word is a Word of encouragement, other times its a Word of correction.
- When God leads you to speak truth to power, His grace will be on you to say what needs to be said, without any fear of the consequences. Just as long as you are saying what God is leading to you say, God will see to it that you come out of the situation unscathed.
- Sometimes people in positions of power get to high-minded that they need to be knocked OFF their high horse.
- God used a servant (Daniel) to rebuke a king (Nebuchadnezzar). Likewise, God can use you to speak truth to power.
- If you are in a position of power, you should acknowledge the God who put you there.
- Whether you are in a position of power or not, you should be open to receive correction when you need it.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I appreciate the courage You gave Daniel. He spoke truth to power. He corrected a sitting King. You gave him a Word and he delivered that Word. You provided the words, He provided the voice. You provided the content, he provided the mouthpiece. Like Daniel, I am available to be used of You to deliver Your Words in the earth. Like Jeremiah, You put Your words in my mouth and I open my mouth to deliver them. Like Jesus, I say what I hear You say and I do what You lead me to do. It’s Your words, my mouth. Your words, my voice. Your power, my body. I am simply the conduit. So I give myself over to You, to be used of You for Your glory. I will deliver whatever message You give me. I like it when You give me Words of encouragement, inspiration, illumination, peace, comfort, and breakthrough. Delivering those Words are easy. But I am also available to deliver Word of correction, rebuke, reproof, and admonishment. Good or bad, I will say whatever You lead me to say. Your grace is on me to speak truth to power. I am afraid of any man or any earthly power. For I know You are greater than anyone against me. My confidence is in You. And Father, if I am the person who needs to be corrected, by faith I declare, that my heart is always open to receive. If I am not listening to You, and You send someone else to correct me, I declare that my heart will be open to receive and quickly repent. I want to be corrected when I am wrong, because I want to live right in Your sight. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
