AUGUST 17 - DANIEL INTERPRETS DREAMS
READ Daniel 4
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar´s second dream.
INSIGHT
What a towering figure is Nebuchadnezzar! Sovereign over the greatest nation on earth at the time, wealthy beyond description, subject to fits of rage, and yet somehow vulnerable and teachable. Nebuchadnezzar rages in fury at the three Jews who refuse to worship his image—yet proclaims their God the only God when He saves them from the furnace. Then, warned by Daniel that unless he repents he will be stripped of his kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar lapses into convenient forgetfulness and self-adulation. True to Daniel´s word, the king becomes an animal and roams the forest. Yet, when his senses are restored, the king again worships God and proclaims His praise to the ends of the earth.
PRAYER
We praise the Lord for ruling in love:
Then the Levites — Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani,
Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah,
And Pethahiah — said, “Stand up. Blessed be
The Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting.”
Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be
Exalted above all blessing and praise.
You, Lord, are the only God.
You created the heavens,
The highest heavens with all their stars,
The earth and all that is on it,
The seas and all that is in them.
You give life to all of them,
And all the stars of heaven worship you
(Nehemiah 9:5-6).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession:
How joyful is the one
Whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
How joyful is a person whom
The Lord does not charge with iniquity
And in whose spirit is no deceit!
(Psalm 32:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to God:
How happy is anyone
Who has put his trust in the Lord
And has not turned to the proud
Or to those who run after lies!
(Psalm 40:4).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar´s second dream.
INSIGHT
What a towering figure is Nebuchadnezzar! Sovereign over the greatest nation on earth at the time, wealthy beyond description, subject to fits of rage, and yet somehow vulnerable and teachable. Nebuchadnezzar rages in fury at the three Jews who refuse to worship his image—yet proclaims their God the only God when He saves them from the furnace. Then, warned by Daniel that unless he repents he will be stripped of his kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar lapses into convenient forgetfulness and self-adulation. True to Daniel´s word, the king becomes an animal and roams the forest. Yet, when his senses are restored, the king again worships God and proclaims His praise to the ends of the earth.
PRAYER
We praise the Lord for ruling in love:
Then the Levites — Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani,
Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah,
And Pethahiah — said, “Stand up. Blessed be
The Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting.”
Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be
Exalted above all blessing and praise.
You, Lord, are the only God.
You created the heavens,
The highest heavens with all their stars,
The earth and all that is on it,
The seas and all that is in them.
You give life to all of them,
And all the stars of heaven worship you
(Nehemiah 9:5-6).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession:
How joyful is the one
Whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
How joyful is a person whom
The Lord does not charge with iniquity
And in whose spirit is no deceit!
(Psalm 32:1-2).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to God:
How happy is anyone
Who has put his trust in the Lord
And has not turned to the proud
Or to those who run after lies!
(Psalm 40:4).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- A passion for moral excellence
- The ministry of Christian education institutions
- Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).