TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.” Daniel 2:27-28a
Read: Daniel 2:1-3
Listen: Daniel 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Nebuchadnezzar is worried in just the second year of his reign of Babylon. Shaken by a dream, the king is anxious about holding his kingdom together, how long he will live and who will threaten his throne. Even as his wise men greet him with “May the king live forever,” he knows his reign will one day come to end. What he doesn’t know is when or how.
God is using Nebuchadnezzar’s anxiety and worry to reveal to Nebuchadnezzar who the real God is. There is something God wants the king to know—and he is going to do it through Daniel. As Daniel communicates the dream and the interpretation, Daniel does it in such a way that God alone gets honor and praise. Nebuchadnezzar’s anxiety becomes an opportunity to learn about the true God of Israel. When he does, he then takes his first steps in learning to trust God.
Worry and anxiety can stop us in our tracks. The wait for a test result, impending job cuts at the office or waiting to see if you made the team can occupy every thought. But they can also be an opportunity to step into greater trust of God. God uses these opportunities for us to learn more about who he is and how we can trust him more.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Take your worry and anxiety to the Lord in prayer. As you do, use these words of the song “Goodness of God” to increase your trust in him, “And all my life you have been faithful, and all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.” Then, as you go through your day, check out Ada Bible Church’s Spotify playlist. There you’ll find songs to remind you of who God is and what he desires for you.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
MICAH 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
