Title Daniel 4:8~18 (2011.1.15)
Contents
Title: Rule by the Watcher
Text: (Daniel 4:8~18)
Hymns: 406. my weary soul...
Date: January 15, 2011 (Sat) 5:00 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
A perfect faith is a faith that does not depend on the world, but completely depends on God. But Satan tempts us that nothing is as foolish as trusting and relying on God. Nebuchadnezzar in the text was a man who forgot the grace of the Lord. Who is a person of true faith?
1. The number of trees (verse 10)
The Bible often compares people to trees. The tree in this verse refers to the dreamer, Nebuchadnezzar. The fact that this tree is in the center and is high means that the Babylonian Empire was the center of the country at the time, and the kingship of Nebuchadnezzar was really great. The tree grew strong and reached the sky, and it was visible from the ends of the earth. It had beautiful leaves and many fruits. Even the king who rules the world has such great power and influence. How much more is the authority of God, the Creator of all things? There is no place beyond the reach of his rule. The foundation of government is to realize that it is God who rules the country.
2. Judgment by the Watcher (verse 13)
A watcher is a supernatural being in the heavens, one who communicates God's will and carries out orders. A watchman comes down from heaven and declares to Nebuchadnezzar that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives him dominion as he wills. It seems Nebuchadnezzar rules the world, but God, who reveals it through dreams, is the true sovereign. For the Lord is King of kings, Lord of all, and Head of the King of the world. In this way, God is the one who leads the lives of the saints and is in control of all things in the world. The God of that power has made us children. Thus, as His people, we can endure judgment as we serve and thank Him for His grace.
3. The purpose of judgment (v. 17)
Verses 14-16 prophesy that Nebuchadnezzar, who united Babylon, would be put to shame before his era was over. Nebuchadnezzar, who was once an instrument of judgment used according to God's will to judge Israel, will now face God's judgment. Although Nebuchadnezzar was able to stand in his position with God's help, instead of glorifying the Lord, he deified himself, thinking that everything was accomplished through his own efforts and hard work. So God reveals Himself through a dream and calls on Nebuchadnezzar to repent. We must fully recognize that the source of our authority and power is God, and we must become wise people who can keep our positions humbly.
If you need to look back on whether you are living according to God's will and repent, do not delay. Even if we are judged for our repeated stubbornness, we must not give up and long for the grace of God that is shown through the stump.
<Prayer>
1. May we always serve God with humility!
2. Let the Sunday worship overflow with vitality and give more inspiration to ministers who are preparing the Word!
3. Please heal the sick! (Elder Kim Eul-soo, Deacon Park Jong-rok, Deacon Kim Young-sik, Kim Dong-il Brothers, Choi Hoon-yong, Yang Tae-bong Seong-do (Yangcheon Soon Deacon's real government, Jesus Hospital intensive care unit), Choi Hoon-yong)