Daniel 4:6-7 (NKJV) — 6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation. 

Nebuchadnezzar’s wisemen were unable to provide an interpretation to his dream from the power of their god’s. Today’s culture promotes the idea that all god’s are the same. But the closer you look the more you see that there is no comparison between our God and the world’s gods. 

What differences do you see in our God compared to the world’s gods?

Daniel 4:19 (NKJV) — 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!

Daniel was troubled to give Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation because it wasn’t great news. Daniel cared about Nebuchadnezzar and he also trusted God. In the interpretation of the dream, we see how God built up Nebuchadnezzar and prospered him alongside a warning of what would happen if he didn’t acknowledge God. 

How can you balance having the heart to help others while listening to God when He gives you a message to share that others might not want to hear? 

Daniel 4:30-32 (NKJV) — 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

When Nebuchadnezzar pridefully took credit for all of his success, God fulfilled the dream and dehumanized Nebuchadnezzar into a beast of the field. As Pastor Weston said on Sunday, “falling away from God causes dehumanization!” 

Do you fully believe in and submit to God’s control, power, and authority over your life?

What are some of the prideful, animalistic behaviors that you digress into when you fall away from or don’t acknowledge God?