Scripture Reading: Daniel 2:1-24, Isaiah 44:6-8, Luke 12:8-12
Nothing saps hope like an impossible situation. Anyone who has been in such a scenario knows that helplessness is often the herald of hopelessness. Given his impossible circumstances, we might expect to find Daniel drained of all hope and faith, but surprisingly, we discover the opposite to be true.
Daniel’s impossible situation was two-fold. First, King Nebuchadnezzar was demanding what his advisors said no one on earth could do: to not only interpret the king’s dream but to divine the content of that dream out of thin air. When they would inevitably fail at this impossible task, the king would give orders to execute them, their families, and all his other advisors, Daniel included. This was the first problem, and it was a big one.
The second problem has less to do with the impossible task and more to do with the impossible man, King Nebuchadnezzar himself. As the saying goes, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” and this was on full display as the king of Babylon showed his penchant for arbitrary violence. The impossible task aside, if he survived this conflict, Daniel had to find a way to live in a nation that was ruled by the whims of this impossible man.
Yet in the midst of it all, Daniel maintained his hope and trust in the Lord. You see, Daniel trusted that despite all the raging of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord’s good purposes for him would prevail. Nebuchadnezzar may have been king of the world, but Daniel knew that the King of heaven is the one who “changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings” (Daniel 2:21). What fueled Daniel’s hope and faith was the truth that no power on earth could stand against the plans of the God of the heavens.
There is no greater example of this truth played out in the annals of history than in the story of Jesus’s resurrection. No situation is more hopeless than the grave, but even death could not stop the redemptive purposes of God. Christ’s resurrection exposes the futility of any effort to thwart the progress of God’s kingdom. Neither the mightiest of kings nor the cruelest of deaths can impede God’s good purposes for His people. This truth sustains our hope and faith in the face of seemingly impossible situations.
At the end of their rope, Nebuchadnezzar’s advisors lost all hope, while “Daniel praised the God of the heavens” (v.19). The prophet was confident that nothing could derail what God had in store for his life, and the same is true for us today. No matter how bleak our situation, there is nothing that can spoil God’s plans for us. Let that truth be the fuel that animates our hope and trust, come what may.
Written by Collin Ross
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67 thoughts on "Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream"
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Amen!
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But God!!! ❤️
Oh, to have faith like Daniel’s! His story teaches us so much. He doesn’t panic. I need to remember that. And he asks his friends to pray with him. I love that we have the opportunity here to pray with and for one another. I always praise with you when I see the report of answered prayers, many healing and miracles. What a privilege to pray with one another! Daniel’s friends were as much a part of that miracle as him. And enjoyed the results, too, since they would have been killed as well.
“What fueled Daniel’s hope and faith was the truth that no power on earth could stand against the plans of the God of the heavens.”
I love this reminder from Collin. We can hold onto this same hope and faith in our world today. NOTHING can stand against our God! Hallelujah!!❤️
Yes! Just another reminder that we need other believers. We need to share with them both good and bad so that we can be in prayer with them. We need community. I am sure that God would have taken care of Daniel, even without his friends, but the fact that they were praying just really points to community.
yes, good to remember that prayer is SO important, and to join in prayer together like us She’s!! I appreciate y’all very much.
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“No matter how bleak the situation
there is nothing that can spoil
God’s plans for me come what may.”
His plans. Not mine.
His truth. Not self-deception.
His wisdom. Not second guessing.
Lord, may I stand solid on Your word.
Amen & Amen
Oh, another great reading today for us to grasp!! OUR GOD, the ONE and ONLY God..is the God of IMPOSSIBLE! He moves mountains and parts seas and on, and on that I put most days! I like to call them Red Sea moments! The PIT moments! The Fire moments! Mouth’s of Lions moment!! The examples are all through the Bible! And Even if our circumstances don’t change, God IS working all things out that we can’t see.
I still can’t help thinking of the Jews in the war. The situation was dire. From the scare of arrest, to the train rides, and on and on. At each they thought it couldn’t get worse, and each time it did. I read many books from these survivors, and when their hope stayed alive they persevered. But our HOPE has to be in the One true God, and Jesus. He IS our only hope in the end. What matters is IF our hope is in him. It’s hard for me to reconcile the two together. Hope in God, but not in Jesus. But Daniel knew he was the One God. What are YOUR thoughts on this? Obviously hundreds of thousands were killed.
God has the ultimate good plans for his people. I just have to trust that, and pray to him, stay close, and listen. I have made a special journal of Holy Spirit moments that I record. We really have to lean in and turn of all the distractions and busyness to HEAR and respond to the Holy Spirit! Since I have done this they have become more pronounced and easier to decipher. I believe we are in the time that “the Holy Spirit will be poured out.” Visions and dreams. Prophecy. and Miracles abundantly! Ask God to bring em on! Talk to me Lord, use me Lord, let your presence manifest in me!! I have heard words of knowledge. I have felt the Spirit tell me something that is of evil. I have heard him give me some prophecy on something specifically good that is going to come from a situation. When we quite the noise we can be ready and usable.
Gotta run..my Daddio is up! Please pray for him he is still in lots of pain as he has been for years. We have stopped to see him in Ky on our leg back home! Love to ya’ll!
At the end of their rope, Nebuchadnezzar’s advisors lost all hope, while “Daniel praised the God of the heavens” (v.19). The prophet was confident that nothing could derail what God had in store for his life, and the same is true for us today. No matter how bleak our situation, there is nothing that can spoil God’s plans for us. Let that truth be the fuel that animates our hope and trust, come what may.
I can understand why the advisors lost all hope. The ask was impossible. Without GOD. Lord I pray that I always come to You with my troubles. That I trust in You. That I listen for Your voice.
Amen, good Traci! And I loved your comment yesterday, that you are fully ready to follow God at all cost…surrender, trust, and obey! As Christ-followers we should ALL be laying down our own “stuff” and getting all IN for Christ. No longer “Christian” in name alone.
COLIN ROSS – outstanding; thank you!
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Two thoughts:
God meets us at the end of the rope!
GOD IS our HOPE at the end of the rope! Praise God!
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Daniel stood securely on the solid rock of his faith in the One True God and his trust in God’s providence and provision.
As we age and face harder challenges, it’s sometimes tempting to focus on the problem and not on the God Who is in control. I love studying these old testament examples of faith and resilience; they encourage me in this late stage of life!
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SONG SHARES:
1) Solid Rock (hymn-Words by Edward Mote.
Music by William Bradbury.
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2) Jon Reddick – Holding On (Praise God) [Official Lyric Video]
“I’m holding on to God because I know my God is holding on to me!”
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
*COLLIN* ☺
Yes! Indeed!
Love the song by Jon Reddick, I was singing it in the truck last night in our travels…loudly!! (always!)
Might just turn on Solid Rock right now, such a classic!
❤❤❤ I always sing along, too! Love that song!
ooo….great song share :)❤️
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I loved how in Luke 11, it reads: “don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at the very hour what must be said. Daniel depended solely on God and “trusted” Him as the Holy Spirit had not come yet. I LOVE how Daniel just knew in his heart he could trust our God. And as Colin mentions, “no power on earth could stand against the plans of the God of the heavens.” I believe this TODAY. God is good even when we don’t know the outcome, or when our outcomes are not what we had hoped, but like I’ve said many times, “Daddy” knows best. I feel compelled to mentions this. As you know my son was unemployed for over 7 months. He was on board with a really good job here, but was taking a long time, VERY intense to say the least. Well as you know he moved to SF for another job there. Well I just found out that the job he was on board with here in town, many were laid off. Sigh…God is so good! I texted my son. I’m so glad, though I miss him, that he is where God wants him to be. I feel had he been hired here and got laid off it would really have hurt him as he was already depressed back for not having a job. Anyway,, gotta go. I just wanted to mention that.
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I love that passage as well in Luke! Trusting. So hard, but the Holy Spirit will give us what we need when time! Oh so good! May I/we remember that!
That is good about your son and the job! I love when we RECOGNIZE God’s PROVISION, mostly we don’t. Good for you and to text him to show him in that way! You’re a good momma. Many of us have gone through the empty nest phase that is so hard in the beginning, but that’s what we are called to do–(as my madre said OFTEN!) raise them up right and then let them go.
God is so amazing. What looks like and feels like a disappointment at the time turns out to be a blessing in the end. God knows. And protects us, and our children. even when we don’t realize what he’s doing.
God’s timing is perfect and what a disappointment He prevented your son from walking through. PTL that Hidls plans are for our good.❤️
I can’t help but think of what a scary, hopeless, impossible situation of panic, this must have felt like for the King Neb’s men. Yikes, no pressure – “read my mind, tll me my inner most thoughts or you and your family will die”. Most get fired when they don’t do their job well. This was going to be a firing squad. Daniel on the other hand comes across as calm, level headed and goes straight to the Lord in prayer, asking his friends to do the same. Seeking God and calling out to Him was Daniel’s first stop, not last resort. Above all, he knew God’s sovereignty, supremacy and plans could not be thwarted, sidetracked or derailed and Daniel was submitted to that authority. He knew if he prayed and called out to the Lord, even if it seemed impossible, his voice would not fall on deaf ears.
“What fueled Daniel’s hope and faith was the truth that no power on earth could stand against the plans of the God of the heavens.”
What faith, trust and hope Daniel lived out. May this be so in my life.
Lord, find me faithful as I seek to live my life fully submitted to your will, trusting you at all times for what seems hard, hopeless and impossible. Remove the questions, doubt, discouragement and angst and bring fresh hope, peace and joy knowing that you are Lord, King and Savior over all no matter what comes my(our)way. May we bring our requests to you, waiting in expectation, assured of your presence, confident in your purpose and seeking to praise you and bring honor and glory to your name. In your mighty and Holy name, Amen.
The song In Jesus Name by Katy Nicole comes to mind this morning.
Have a wonderful day friends❤️
Wendy, thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer and your well spoken thoughts!
“Seeking God and calling out to Him was Daniel’s first stop, not last resort.”
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Yes, and AMEN Wendy!
I copied your whole comment down—I am loving this study so much and might do a version in jail ministry! I think it would be fitting. Yes, some are indeed quilty, and must face consequence, BUT GOD, IF they are repentant and are now walking with God, HE can do amazing things in their life, despite their circumstances.
Amen Wendy B!
Beautiful prayer, Wendy ❤️
I was thinking that also Wendy. Danyelle was so calm and only needed to turn to God. The Chaldean‘s were frantic. I am sure. I’m so grateful that we have this amazing God who hears us and takes care of us and has our best interest at heart.
Let that truth be the fuel that animates our hope and trust, come what may.
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I will not say anymore than my Casey story came to mind when i read the opening lines of this today..
Let’s face it, if we truly believe, are all in, and trust without a doubt, we would know nothing is an impossible situation when we have GOD. NOTHING!
We think overtaking, analysing as we go..
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BUT GOD,,
You know, I had decided Casey was a lost cause, I had made the decision that she was not worthy, that she was a waste of time, might I ask who did I think I was? What right did I have to decide someone’s fate and future?
Had i not been saved by grace? Just to clarify.. Grace.. unearned, not in a million years, and for sure unmerited favour of God, giving good things we/I didn’t earn or deserve!
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I talk as though I have it all sewn up, I don’t, but I am learning that with God much is possible, without God, much is for sure useless, hope less!
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With God.. knowing the truth.
With God, trusting the truth.
With God, though it may not seem like it, when you/we are in the thick of it, life is a lot easier.. and in the long run, better!
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He is the first, He is the last.. there is no other God, BUT Him..
Never be startled or afraid.
Never lose hope, for God gave us Jesus, the most gracious gift ever, and because of Him, because of Jesus, we can lean knowing, and we can stand on His Word, and we can give thanks, even when life looks hard, bleak. confusing, broken..
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It is well..
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AMEN.
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Happy Wednesday, much love..❤️
Beautiful reminders, sweet friend! ❤
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“There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks…no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”
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The astrologers were absolutely right, about one thing – there was no one on earth who could do what the king asked. No one in and of themselves.
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What they got wrong was, there is a God who lives among humans – the LORD God Almighty! And He can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think.
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Daniel knew this God, he knew His power and He called upon His name in his time of need, and God answered.
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We as believers today, serve the same God of Daniel and his ancestors. And He is at work in each of our lives and circumstances. Nothing is to hard or big for God – He is the God of the impossible!
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As Collin reminds us this morning –
“No matter how bleak our situation, there is nothing that can spoil God’s plans for us.” Amen & Amen!!
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Father God please help me to trust You, even when there seems to be no way. Let me have the faith of Daniel, believing that nothing can derail what you have in store for me, my family, our church. To You be the glory my King and my Redeemer. In Jesus Name.
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Blessings to you all today sweet She’s, I have to run out the door but will pop in later to read all your comments.
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Just a side note – on Friday in theaters the movie “Daniel” is coming out – Perfect timing for our study!
Sharon, this is so good.. hugs..❤️
❤ Thanks, Sharon! ❤
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I am excited about the movie!! I love the shows/movies that are being made these days to bring the Bible to life for us!
I copied your notes as well today, ty!
God specializes in impossible situations. The death of Jairus’s daughter, the death of Lazarus, the revealing of the dream to Daniel,are only a few.
I feel this a double miracle because it was a double ask. Daniel not only had to tell him his dream but he had to tell him what it meant.
Our God , the God of Abraham , Issac and Jacob is able!
In Daniel 2:11 where it is acknowledged that what is being asked is too difficult… my pastor explained, it is a king, or law, that asks something that is too difficult. In Christianity, God Himself can do the impossible thing- completely apart from ourselves. I’ve found that a refreshing reminder of Who is in control.
I could read daniel 1000 times, it’s just so good! three things stuck out to me today, 1. Nebuchadnezzar scared of conspiracy, 2. gods don’t dwell with men and 3. daniel immediately went to his friends for prayer. 1. my Instagram feed has been consumed by conspiracy, I generally enjoy it, but have learned it’s not doing good things for my heart. this is a good reminder that with God there is no conspiracy he is totally in control and all knowing. 2. our God does dwell with us! how lucky are we! 3. Daniel’s book should have the subtitle the power of prayer because he shows us again and again how much he depended on prayer and how God moves through it!
Thanks for pointing out these helpful facts to us.
Such helpful insights.
MARYA KAT ❤️ Congrats on your new grandson!
MIA FAITH ❤️
MERCY ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
TERESA COOPER DONLEY ❤️
MARTHA HIX ❤️
TRACI GENDRON ❤️
RHONDA J ❤️ praying
MARI V ❤️ praying as you work on reducing those cholesterol numbers, you can do it!
WENDY B ❤️
Thank you Searching❤️
The strength of Daniel’s faith and trust in God, mine pales in comparison. With his straightforward and solid belief in God, Daniel went to the Lord in prayer with his friends, asking to receive the needed answers, waiting in expectation, praising the Lord when He answered and only then going to the king.
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James 1:5-8 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
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hugs ❤️
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The importance of asking friends to pray for/with us ❤️
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Started that gratitude journal today. Thanks for the encouragement :)
I couldn’t help but notice that Daniel remained so level headed in spite of how dire the situation was. He heard the decree, wisely asked for some more time, got his friends to pray (like Esther), God then revealed the dream and its meaning to him, and immediately he worshipped God. No panic, no trying to take matters into his own hands. He just sat back and trusted that God would do what he could not. “What fueled Daniel’s hope and faith was the truth that no power on earth could stand against the plans of the God of the heavens.” Let it be so for us Lord! Amen!
We’re likeminded today, sister ❤️
AMEN!❤️
Amen!
Selah … pause & think on this …
Let it be so for us Lord! Amen❤️
“No matter how bleak our situation, there is nothing that can spoil God’s plans for us. Let that truth be the fuel that animates our hope and trust, come what may.”
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I was just saying something similar to my young mama friend. (No change in her condition.)
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Trusting God’s plan when we like what our life situation looks like does not take much effort. But when things seem to be going against us, then can we say with Daniel, “May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him”?
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May it be so.
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May you sense His guiding presence today.
❤️ thank you, Kelly. Let’s praise and trust Him in every valley and on every mountain top. Praying for your young mama.
AMEN!❤️
What hopeful reassurance that God’s plans can’t be stopped no matter what. There is none more powerful than God.
May it be so..AMEN!❤️❤️
Amen, Kelly and continued prayers for this young mama and son.
Praying for your young mama ❤️
Amen. May it be so.
Praying for your young mama.