Amazing Grace

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2,3,4
These 3 chapters contain stories that cumulatively spoke to me.

OBSERVATION: Nebuchadnezzar was a ruthless man who gained power by killing, starving and mutilating many people, including women and children. He ruled through fear and intimidation. Yet God shows him incredible mercy. In these 3 chapters are stories of incredible miracles and signs given to this wicked king to show him that God is the only true deity and is worthy of praise and honor. In Dan. 2, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that terrifies him and Daniel prays to receive from God the content and meaning of the dream. The king is so impressed that he prostrates himself before Daniel and tells everyone to honor Daniel's God. In chapter 3, the king has forgotten the lesson and sentences 3 Hebrew men to death in a fiery furnace for refusing to worship a giant golden idol he has made. When the men are protected by God from death, Nebuchadnezzar again recognizes the greatness of God. Then in chapter 4, Daniel again interprets a dream that warns Nebuchadnezzar about the arrogance in his heart and tells him of a judgement God will pronounce against him for continuing in pride. This takes place and the king finally gives God praise as ultimate sovereign of the earth.

APPLICATION: It amazes me the lengths the Lord goes to to reach this king who has committed such evil. It shows the wonder of God's truly amazing grace and love. It should give us confidence that there is no one who will not have ample revelation of God's holiness, love, and forgiveness if we pray for them. If they do not choose God after that, we can be confident that all judgement of God is just and right. Also, this should teach us that if God will go to such lengths for an evil man, we have no right to hold grudges and harbor unforgiveness toward anyone. God loves them, and so must we. After all, we have been recipients of his grace and forgiveness when we didn't deserve it. And God himself says we must forgive as we have been forgiven.

PRAYER: How awesome is your love, Lord! That you would go to such lengths for a man such as Nebuchadnezzar was is simply amazing! How can I ever possibly doubt your love for me after reading stories like these? And yet, sometimes when things are happening in my life that I don't understand I have doubted your love for me. I never want to doubt again, Lord. Bring these things to my mind whenever I am tempted to question your love for me. I trust you with my life and know you will make all things beautiful in their time. I love you, Lord. Thank you for your love and grace. Make me as loving and gracious as you are. In Jesus' Name, Amen.