Scripture Reading: Daniel 2:44-45, Daniel 4:28-36, Psalm 145:8-13, Revelation 11:11-15
This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue looking at the genres of Major and Minor Prophets.
The Book of Daniel: The book of Daniel records events in Daniel’s life during his captivity as an exile in Babylon. It also includes prophecies of events that took place in between the Old and the New Testaments, as well as events that are still to come at Jesus’s return.
How Daniel Fits Into the Story: The book of Daniel teaches us that the God of Israel is sovereign over the universe. Even when wicked empires have extensive reign, or we face severe personal trials, the prophet’s words remind us that the Lord has authority and rule over all the kingdoms of the earth.
Reflection Questions:
1. How was God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar an act of mercy?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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76 thoughts on "Daniel"
Reflection Questions:
1. How was God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar an act of mercy? I too had a chuckle seeing many of our shes calling king Nebu Neb (lol how clever, it is truly a hard to pronounce name). We are like Neb in certain extent, aren’t we? “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for a royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”. Perhaps our inner dialogue could sound like, “Is not this beautiful, organized home, which I have curated so perfectly…”, “Is not this thriving business, these multiple side-hustles, and these scaling brands that I built from scratch through sheer grit…”, “Is not this impactful ministry or community project that wouldn’t survive without my leadership and my efforts…”, “Is not this lush, immaculate garden that I cleared, dug, and planted with my own two hands…”. You know how that can go lol. Lord forgive us. We can quietly whisper to ourselves the exact same thing Neb was telling himself, “…which I have built by the might of MY power, for the glory of MY own security and status”.
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While Neb was still speaking, seconds later, he lost his sanity and was driven into the fields to eat grass. Catch your inner Neb and silence him. Pride is a spiritual dead end, a dead trap, when left unchecked, unexamined, one’s arrogance will destroy one’s soul. Long before humanity existed, pride was the original sin that caused a cosmic rebellion. Scripture pointed to the fall of Lucifer (Satan) as the moment pride entered creation, he was created perfect, beautiful, and highly exalted, but his heart became corrupted by his own reflection. “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high… I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:12-14), and God spoke to the root cause, “Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezekiel 28:17). Pride is the condition of a fallen nature, started in heaven, affecting all humanity on earth. It is an arrogant refusal to lean on the Creator. Pride blinds us because it convinces us that we are the sole authors of our lives, cutting us off from humility and spiritual truth. As we are in the month of June and its cultural emphasis on PRIDE, which represents “self-acceptance”, “self-splendor” but indeed a blatant rebellion against divine order, we must be vigilant in prayers. May we pray the Scriptures, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Pray that the Holy Spirit reshapes the thoughts, imaginations, and perceptions of our youth, our people, our generation, may their identities be securely rooted in Christ, granting them the spiritual strength to withstand temptation.
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2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption? As Neb was redeemed, after years of banishment in humiliation, stricken by a form of madness where he lost his mind, driven from human society, and eventual redemption, his return happened in specific sequence. Three steps in this story. 1/“I lifted my eyes to Heaven” (Daniel 4:34), the shift of perspective (redemption needs us to shift our focus from the current dirt, misery, and look up toward to something higher than ourselves, whether it’s GOD, or the community we have neglected because of pride, our purpose is always outside of ourselves). 2/“My reason returned to me”, sanity returns as the result of looking up. 3/“I blessed the Most High”, gratitude and humility, Neb didn’t say I survived the wilderness, he blessed GOD and acknowledged his insignificance compared to GOD, and realized his second chances are gifts from GOD, and not entitlements. If we examine our lives, whether personal, professional or spiritual growth, the blueprint remains identical. The dirt is not the end, eating grass doesn’t have to be permanent. The wilderness is just the place where ego and pride goes to die, so true redemption of self can be restored, acknowledging the Author of Life and His rich mercy.
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Be blessed dear sisters.
Call we all say a collective “Oof?” Or “ouch!?” but So, So true!!
We all give ourselves credit. So funny because I am reading a memoir right now by Jeremy Renner. (I didn’t even know who he is!) BUT…I read the synopsis of the book and I love true story trauma’s and human perseverance. It said he had a horrific accident so I grabbed it. I am halfway through, and it saddened me from the get go that he didn’t give any credit to God for saving him and the so called “miracles” that happened. I kept reading hoping it would come. He talks about him dying and that life goes on in energy and love. But stated he doesn’t believe in one God or religion. Anyway…I can definitely point out that he sounds like a NEB!
You said it all so well.
And of course we all have that tendency…but I have always known God is the author of my story and will be
always!
This is a hard mentality to work against in jail ministry sometimes as well, but a little different. They all try to point the blame to someone else, never their own fault. So still being prideful. We do that as well too. We don’t want to admit our faults and wrong doings, rather than just realizing we are not Mrs Wonderful.
We definitely should have a friendly reminder to ourselves and others “don’t do a Neb..”
I had to play catch up today. Mercy and Rhonda I copied and emailed your comments from yesterday to myself. I need to print them out and put them in my war room. (work in progress) I’m happy to have a space to go to where it will be quiet and I can truly study. Not just check it off the list of to do’s. I will be traveling this Saturday for 16 days out of the country. I’m hoping to stay up on our study, but we are quite busy with tours.
I’m thankful we do not have a God that gives us what we deserve. He is a forgiving God. Gives us mercy.
That’s awesome Traci! I have copied comments in the past and put in my saved documents, but yes, I too am going to print Mercy’s and put in my Bible. I needed a prayer closet as well, but for now it’s just a new area in my little garden space, a bench for serious praying! I might call it a “war room” as well!
Mercy gave us another spot on printable reminder again today!
Have a great trip!
Praying for a safe trip ahead Traci.
Praying for safe travels and a super rest-filled time Traci. much love and prayers.
Hugs always..
Amen
1. God could’ve of allowed for Nebuchadnezzar NEVER return to his throne, YET our sweet merciful God restored him completely and more! Nebuchadnezzar did not get what he deserved, our God showed him GREAT mercy!
2.AND here we are!!! Our God, our JESUS showing/giving us GREAT mercy over and over, even when we don’t deserve it! Things may be taken away from us, or we lose the privilege of things entrusted to us and be taken away or given to someone else, EVEN then we trust our Father God who knows best. In the case of Nebuchadnezzar, he was restored completely! Giving us a visual that WE, you and I are never to far from our Father God’s reach and can also be restored completely. All we have to do is be willing to “accept” it!
Happy Wednesday sweet She’s. I am really enjoying my summer and sleeping in and resting. Unhurried. Enjoying my time with my kiddos. Please continue to pray for employment for them. Meanwhile I get to enjoy them hanging out while my son makes us coffee!
lol..love that! It will be a great summer for you! Amen to your summation on the study!
Amen, Mari!
Enjoy the rest and the young ‘uns, not to mention the lay ins..❤️
Please pray for my beloved who has been searching for a job for almost four months. He has an interview right now. Please pray for the Lord to provide. We need a miracle because we will lose our insurance and pay at the end of the month. God has been sustaining my beloved daily, but he has moments where he is frightened and panics about the future. It’s so hard watching him wanting to provide for his family. Please pray for a job, for wisdom, for the interview to go well…for a miracle at this point.
Praying Marina.
Praying for your husband’s job.
Have prayed ❤️
Late to the table, Marina, but prayerful the interview was a success..❤️
Studying prophecy has taught me to see it less as a roadmap for interpreting the news of the day and more as a guidebook for faithful living in difficult times. The former view was heavily emphasized in the churches I grew up in, but I think the latter is more important in guiding our daily living and understanding God’s character.
Reflection Questions:
1. How was God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar an act of mercy?
That the Lord didn’t immediately destroy Nebuchadnezzar was mercy number one and number two was yo give him a judgement that allowed him to change his ways and understand the sovereignty of our Lord.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
It’s like looking at a spider web. Sometimes you cannot see how the Lord has made such an intricate plan to save His people and other times it’s like a web that’s been dipped in morning dew and staring you right in the face. I feel like this is definitely one of those parts of the story that stare you in the face about redemption and a layer of protection that God offered His people when they were in exile.
So thankful for the mercy and restoration and saving that He gives me!
Amen, Adrienne..❤️
Sometimes G-d let us hit rock bottom and then we realize we ain’t all that. Apart from God we are nothing.
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what you’re worth
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what you’re worth
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Love that song!!
One of my favorites.
❤️
I was going to ask is that a song … beautiful words, thank you Tanya for sharing them..❤️
God is the God of mercy and forgiveness. In extending His mercy to Nebuchadnezzar in letting him live, albeit as a wild animal – it gave him the opportunity to repent.
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God has always given an opportunity for repentance, to all who will receive it.
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Gracious
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Compassionate
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Slow to anger
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Rich in love
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THAT’S MY GOD!!
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I must always take heed and remember – everything I have or am is all because of God. To think anything else is prideful and self-centered and worthy of God’s chastisement.
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I got behind in reading all the comments, but did see yours @Traci G – I am so sorry to hear that Debbie’s sister passed away. Continued prayers for Debbie as she faces her own home-going. ❤️
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Back home in NJ and back into my daily routine. It’s nice to be away, but always nice to come home!
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Happy Wednesday She’s!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️and hugs, lots of them, all winging their way to you, my friend!
God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar was merciful because it brought him to humility and helped him recognize God’s sovereignty. What looked like punishment was actually an opportunity for repentance and restoration.
God can transform even the proudest heart. His desire is not just to judge but to restore, pointing us to the greater redemption we have through Christ.
Yes, this is why I love jail ministry! “what looked like punishment was an opportunity for repentance and Restoration!”
Ya’ll remember my butterfly Shalan? She is getting baptized through my church on Saturday!! She is seeing lots of restoration..she graduated to level 5 of her probation through the last year and has had custody of her child. A very different look a year ago when I met her in jail.
Praise God, Rhonda!
I love this Lisa. “What look like punishment was an opportunity for repentance and restoration” amen
Indeed. God is a patient and loving GOD, ever faithful and forgiving..
Thank you GOD..❤️
Another great reading today!
God’s judgement can bring mercy!
Oh how many of us were brought to our knees to get us to turn to the Lord for help?!! I was a stubborn prodigal. I had everything. I was probably quite proud myself like ole Neb. Then like whip-plash, all the sudden it was crumbling. And I had no control to stop it. I remember that exact spot where I hit my knees and cried out to God. There were many more moments that I would cry out to God beyond that, as I said, I kept trying to do things on my own, my way. But God, He knew I would be after his own heart and used in a mighty way and purpose to bring his love and saving grace to others! As Mercy said it SO well—we must suffer through things to bring our hearts to want to help others that suffer. That is how God not only saves us and remakes us, but then USES us as his hands and feet! What a waste to KNOW and love God but then not go and tell. We are to shine like a bright light on a hill! To live each day for HIM! Purposeful.
Daniel shows us God is Sovereign and in control of all the pieces (all the nations and workings). If we know Revelations, and Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel..we should be SEEING the happenings and know that time is close. And we can have such peace, but excitement as well. But not a time to freeze. Not a time to be unaware. Too busy and in our own non-important daily agendas. Too proud. Too independent. NO..we must be in the Spirit!! Moving for him each day. Time is short!
We can be a vessel for those that need direction (as Neb did) and all those people around us that God is using their sufferings to bring them to him! Praise the Lord that we get to! And it brings us blessings and grows us in the process!
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The Lord could have choose a different outcome for Neb, but He did not. He is always wanting to make the better way. and His heart for His people, for hope, restoration, for redemption for us is always there. We read in Psalm 145 of His character and love for us and He is good to everyone. “The Lord is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone;his compassion rests on all he has made.” I love this passage. What a gracious, patient and mighty God we serve. Thank you Father.
@Mercy…wow. thank you for your words yesterday ❤️
And as always, really appreciate everyones perspective as we learn here together.
SRT sisters, thank you for praying yesterday. I definitely felt peace and calm even though the biopsy was very difficult. It will probably be a week or so till all results are in. I have a number of other lab related tests this week and next and so slowly getting to bottom of everything. Please continue to pray that all of these would bring clarity and definitive information so the doctors can accurately diagnose and come up with a treatment plan. I can see the Lord’s hand moving in so many ways and have been reminded of His faithfulness so often. ❤️
Praying Wendy!
thank you
Praying for an accurate diagnosis and treatment direction.
thank you
Continued prayers Wendy..❤️
Passion – Even So Come (Lyrics And Chords/Live) ft. Chris Tomlin
This is a day late but had to say Mercy’s comment yesterday was such an eye opener for me and spoke to my heart. Beautiful and powerful words were spoken. Thank you Mercy!
It sure was!! (FIRE emoji! and Hands raised!)
Thank you for reading.
Just wanted to say first that it tickled me to see King Nebuchadnezzar being shortened to Neb in some of the comments here already this morning – and with how much trouble I just had spelling that out, I will be adopting that one myself!
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Anyways, I’m not sure how I have missed it before now, but I don’t think I ever realized that the words from Daniel 4:34, “For his dominion is an
everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom is from
generation to generation”
were said by Neb. The phrase itself is extremely familiar to me, BUT the context was missing. To read it again this morning, to think, “Wait a minute – that was him who sad that!” had me really pausing to consider the ways in which the context of this story matters so much to the depth and richness of that verse. Grateful for eye-opening moments like this.
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And a prayer request. I am heading to the doctor this afternoon and am pretty sure they are going to tell me that I have mastitis (sigh…). Please pray that the doctor will be able to provide some relief for the pain I have been experiencing – especially as my family is preparing to travel this evening. Thank you!
ugh…uncomfortable. Have prayed Kira
Prayers Kira
Prayers Kira!!
I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing this, but know that mastitis is easily treatable with antibiotics, so you should be feeling relief soon! And if you don’t mind an unconventional treatment, putting cabbage leaves on a swollen breast for about 15 minutes (remove when it smells like boiled cabbage) brings great relief. (I was a nursing mom and LaLecheLeague Leader for many, many years.) Best wishes for healing.
I will be praying for relief Kira, and that the doctor prescibed something to ease the discomfort..
Safe travels,.❤️
God’s judgment was kind and merciful as it brought Nebuchadnezzar back to Himself. He could have let him go, but His mercy brought him to knowing God. Allowed Him to serve again as well, serving God and serving the Babylonians..potentially many could be brought to God. God so loved the world! And His mercy triumphs pver judgement. His goal is always restoration!!
Amen, Erica..❤️
God is never done working! All it takes is one encounter with Him to change the trajectory of someone’s life. Thank you Lord!
So true and Thank you Lord..❤️
wow MERCY, your post yesterday really hit! I have been in a season of spiritual silence, and we had horrible family drama at my sister’s wedding this past weekend. Everyone involved are professing Christians, but I saw no spirit of God there. at one point I prayed God help him(my brother) hear me, and I felt God be like what makes you think he can hear me through that wall. I thought to myself last night, I need to fast and pray like Daniel.
Praying for your brother that his heart be softened to the seed you will sow. Oh the walls, thank you for mentioning. May the walls come down like those of Jericho.
Gods mercy is amazing. 7 years of troubles but God used it to bring him close.
It does seem that trouble leads us to Jesus.
I haven’t felt good in days. If you can pray for me. Also my son has been sick. FIL Was in the hospital yesterday. My wayward child .
Prayers Mama Mel. It always seems to come in multiple hits. Praying you feel better!
Praying Mama Mel..❤️
God’s judgement was actually mercy because it brought the king to the place of knowing God. Praise God for his sovereignty in our lives individually and the whole world!
❤️
Q1 – God could have wiped him out, but instead, after a time of punishment, once Neb “confessed with his mouth” that he believed, he was saved and restored. Neb was outside of God’s covenant people, he was the one who destroyed the temple, a true enemy of Israel, but God chose to save him. Just like me/us!
Q2 – Once again, God redeems the most unlikely of people. God promised Abraham that blessing would come to all nations, and this is yet another fulfillment of that promise. God promised restoration through repentance. A great summary (not mine): God restoring Nebuchadnezzar shows God keeps His promises because His plan was never just to preserve Israel—it was always to reveal Himself and extend mercy to all people who turn toward Him.
“Neb was outside of God’s covenant people, he was the one who destroyed the temple, a true enemy of Israel, but God chose to save him. Just like me/us!” Yes Amen!
Yes…Restoration THROUGH repentance!! We have to recognize our wrong doing and tell that to God for forgiveness, understanding, change, …then comes restoration!!
Amen
Q1 God’s judgment = act of mercy? Absolutely, would Nebuchadnezzar have ever recognized the power, love, eternity, mercy and love of God without being literally brought to his knees? What did it take to bring each of us to that recognition?
Nebuchadnezzar’s life, from the height of an earthly king’s throne, to a life lower than than low, to recognition that God is God, and that never changes … an everlasting dominion. Let’s follow his example after his mind was restored – “I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever.” Everyday, Almighty God deserves our praise. Brings to mind one of Tina’s faves, Every Praise ❤️
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Q2 same need throughout the Bible … each of our stories follows the path of rescue, recognition, redemption, restoration – thank you, Jesus!
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MERCY ❣️ another hard hitter, thank you. “Are we hating those whom God loves? Are we loving what God hates? Are we becoming friends with the world (ruled by the prince satan), using the mainstream media as his megaphone?”
Lord, please open our eyes and draw us closer to you.
❤
Amen ❣️
❤️❤️❤️❤️
God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar wad an act of mercy because God could have struck Neb down dead or never restored him to his right mind.
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Today’s reading shows me that God works through people who may deny Him to move His plans of redemption forward.
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“For his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing,
and he does what he wantso with the army of heaven
and the inhabitants of the earth.
There is no one who can block his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?” (Dan. 4:34-35).
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WENDY B – praying your marrow biopsy brings the doctors the details they need for diagnoses.
❤
Thank you Kelly❤️
I love this, Kelly, and quite true. God works through those that deny Himto move His plans for rede
mption forward… Amen.❤️
The Book of Daniel! I pray that my Sunday School teachers know what an incredible job they did teaching this Book and a very good reminder to re read the bible teachings I read as a child. ❤️Hannah
Thank you for saying that Hannah I direct children’s ministries and love the thought that your Sunday school teacher did an incredible job teaching the book of Daniel. Please pray for me that I make sure that our children learn the book as well. Have a blessed day.
Heart
Giving thanks to God, with you Hannah, for those on whose shoulders we stand in faith,,❤️
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