Beyond the Weekend

October 20 | Power on Loan

October 20, 2022

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. Your majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky.” Daniel 2:36-38a

Read: Daniel 2:24-38
Listen: 
Daniel 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Daniel prepares to tell the people gathered about King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and what it means. He describes Nebuchadnezzar as “the king of kings.” As the monarch of the world’s most powerful nation, this is absolutely true. But even as the “king of kings” and the one with “dominion and power and might and glory,” Daniel believes there is One with greater authority and power than Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel calls out the “God of heaven,” who gives the king everything he enjoys. While the king does have “power and might,” it is power on loan. The God of Israel gives it to him.

Everything Nebuchadnezzar has is only because God has graciously given it to him. This is something Daniel seems to recognize throughout his life. In his poem of praise, Daniel says, “He [God] gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:21). Even as Nebuchadnezzar rules the world, God uses a disturbing dream to tell him that the One has placed him where he is.

It’s true for us too. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Everything in our lives comes from our Heavenly Father—physical appearance or fitness, quick wit or deep thinking, the business we lead or work at, the apartment or house we live in and each breath we take. It all comes from the Lord and is on loan.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Think about the accomplishment you are most proud of, especially one where you think, “I did that.” In your prayer time, specifically name that accomplishment and thank God for giving it to you, even if it required hard work (because even the ability to do the hard work comes from him).


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.

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