If so that is great, but if not I will be just fine, because I am highly favored and the pineapple of my Heavenly Father’s eye.
I have been reading in the book of Daniel, specificly about king Nebuchadnezzar and all of his self proclaimed greatness. Thank goodness we are the daughters of The King, our Heavenly Father and not this guy. From this point forward I will refer to him as Neb. Neb was so full of himself and so confused. It seemed to me after reading, that he could have been very insecure and easily influenced when he had those vulnerable- I do not know what to do moments- Even though he was the king of Babylon (kinda a big deal).
I will call him a flip flopper- Neb the flip flopper. Let me define flip flopper in Lauren’s terms. It is kinda like a fish out of water flopping around. One day he believes one way and later he may (flop) to think another. I think he was a fish out of God’s water for sure.
Seems he often forgot the feelings of -awe- of the wisdom of Daniel’s King (our Heavenly Father) after the newness wore off. He would go back to his old ways of thinking higher of himself and anyone else or pay attention to the wisdom or forcasting of Daniel’s dreams.
Now granted, I have not done extensive research on this book, nor Neb. I can tell you that God used Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to influence Neb based on their faith in God. All the other is just my perspective during this most recent reading.
One big take away about king Neb is how he went to great lengths to build golden idols and made people bow down to them and worshipped multiple gods. Not to spoil a good read, but it does not work out for him in the end. All of his, full-of-him-self, monkey see but dosen’t do… mentality catches up with him.. The visions/dreams are fulfilled. (Let’s just say that visions of lolly pops were not dancing in his head..)
There are many facets and take aways in the book of Daniel and my mind is going in many different directions. Today, I want us to think about the words- If- SO- BUT- IF- NOT. What does that mean to you? Can you think of a time when you told yourself a version of the five words?
Daniel 3:17-18 says, "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
Picture in your mind the scenerio of someone standing up to someone else, “putting them in their place” with attitude and confidence. I like the part that says, ” Let it be known to you, O king.” or in my southern mind- “listen here, miss priss” or ” I’ll have you know, I ain’t doing that!” Not that I can remember ever saying those phrases..
This means: If our life takes a turn for the worse, our God will deliver/heal us, BUT IF HE Chooses NOT to (not in His plan for you)- We should still love Him and praise Him regardless because His ways are better than ours.....
To go deeper in our faith; Think about how this world is constantly trying to place a wedge between our relationship with God and following popular worldly ways and acceptance of ideas or ways that God says is wrong.
In modern times, the application of the verse in Daniel 3:17-18, could go like this: I am not going to worship you O'king (O'world) and your worldly idolistic ways....
I believe that our take away is not standing up to someone with attitude, but that maybe you need to set your own-self straight or remind yourself a thing or two- with confidence- of what you know is to be true- in how our heavenly father works in our life. Our lives might not go the way we want them to, but we must believe that God is working all things for good- maybe to protect ourself from what we do to ourselves…… Does that make sense?
Take just a second and apply this to your life today. Big or small circumstances… Silly or serious situations.. It all applies. Here you go, finish this sentence as it applies to you, today.
If _____________________ (so/happens) -God will _____________ BUT IF NOT ___________________.
11 The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Click here for more reading and encouragement Psalm 34.
Thinking of you today.
His love and mine- don’t let your crown slip
thedaughtersFather 