Serving God in a Hostile Environment. The Example of Daniel and His Friendsনমুনা
God is the real King
King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is about an image representing future empires that will rule over the earth, and about God’s kingdom that will ultimately take over and bring all human kingdoms to an end. Daniel does not mince his words; however powerful King Nebuchadnezzar might be and however glorious his kingdom, only “the God of heaven” has ultimate control over all the earth. This is a lesson that King Nebuchadnezzar will have to learn in his life, among other things through dreams.
Daniel acknowledges the king’s position. He addresses him as “the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all” (Daniel 2:37-38). Daniel’s attitude is respectful, but at the same time he stresses that Nebuchadnezzar is “just” a human being who owes his privileged position to God. Daniel is serving the king with his gifts, but his life is devoted to the Lord, Who really is the “God of gods and Lord of kings”.
Do you believe that God has everything in His hands, including world politics?
Scripture
About this Plan
The book of Daniel tells us about four young Jewish men who were taken captive by the Babylonian king to serve him. In their new and hostile environment, these youths remained faithful to their God and bore a powerful witness to people around them. Their stories contain valuable lessons for us, since we too are living in a world that is often antagonistic towards God.
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