Scripture to Read: Daniel 4:4–9
As we read Daniel 4:4, we see a shift in what Nebuchadnezzar recorded. He shifted from his testimony in Daniel 4:1–3, of God’s work in his life to an earlier point in his life where he had been very satisfied with his life. We read in Daniel 4:4, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.” At this point in his life, Nebuchadnezzar was riding the wave of what he thought was his success. Then, in Daniel 4:5, he shared how his dream kept “alarming” him. In other words, this dream he kept having had him worried and scared. This dream bothered Nebuchadnezzar so much that we read this in Daniel 4:6, “So I gave orders to bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.” Nebuchadnezzar wanted to know what his dream meant. However, he did not call on God at this point; he relied on the godless spiritual leaders of his day. Then, in Daniel 4:7, we see how the godless religious leaders could not offer Nebuchadnezzar any help. Though God had used Daniel a couple of decades earlier to interpret a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, according to Daniel 4:8, he did not call on Daniel until last. In Daniel 4:9, Nebuchadnezzar recognized that Daniel had “a spirit of the holy gods” in him. So, Nebuchadnezzar did not recognize Daniel’s God as the one True God yet but only saw Daniel’s God as one of many gods.
Challenge & Application
• According to Daniel 4:4, what was Nebuchadnezzar comfortable with, and what must we do to guard against this mentality?
• Who was Nebuchadnezzar initially relying on for help, and why couldn’t they help?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!