Among LionsSample

CONTEXT: Several years later, Daniel interprets another dream for King Nebuchadnezzar.

It’s been several years since Daniel volunteered to interpret the king’s dream. Now, he finds himself in a very similar situation. King Nebuchadnezzar has had another mysterious dream. Based on his previous success, you might think the king immediately summoned Daniel to interrupt this new dream. Instead, the king fell back into old habits, calling on his magicians again. When they were unable to explain, he remembered Daniel.

God allowed Daniel to understand the dream. For the first time, we read that Daniel was “greatly perplexed and his thoughts terrified him.” God revealed that the king, like the mighty tree in his dream, had grown in power and success. But his success wouldn’t last. He would be “cut down” and forced to live like a wild animal in the wilderness. No wonder Daniel was afraid! He knew this message predicted the fall of King Nebuchadnezzar. BUT - God gave the king one more chance - a way to avoid destruction - confess his sin, accept God as Lord (not just another god), and be compassionate. In fact, God gave him a year to decide to make Him the Lord of his life, but his pride continued to stand in the way.

Many of us fall into the same cycle. When life is hard, we desperately seek God for help. But when life is going well, we often forget about our daily dependence on Him and reclaim control of our lives. Pride goes even further. It’s a condition of the heart that believes we don’t really need God. God and pride can’t coexist. As we will see tomorrow, God will discipline us when necessary.

1. CONSIDER THIS:

1. Consider your current relationship with God. Are you daily depending on Him, or are you in control?

2. Pride is hard for us to see in ourselves but easy to spot in others. Think of someone in your life that you can receive honest feedback from. Allow them permission to speak into your life, helping you identify where pride may be a blindspot for you.

3. Write a prayer to God, confessing the pride in your heart. Ask Him for forgiveness as you learn to humbly make Him Lord of your life.