Good News

Daniel 4:1-3 King Nebuchadnezzar, To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly! 2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
 
ONE has to stop and wonder, “Is this from a prophet?” Surely there is some mistake that King Nebuchadnezzar writes a blessing to his people and praises the LORD God. Isn’t he Babylon’s idol-worshiping king who destroyed Jerusalem, the temple and took thousands captive? His praise to God is such that it may remind us of the apostle Paul’s greetings to the churches, “Grace and peace to you…Praise be to God.”
    In God’s marvelous providence, the apostle and the king do have in common a very personal, transforming experience with God. Nebuchadnezzar is about to tell how God has also moved mightily into his life. Paul also could write joyously of God’s grace and love. The once murderous opponent to Christ had personally experienced the Spirit’s power and the Son’s teachings. In Christ is was a new man.   
    As we learn the king’s story, let’s learn from his attitude to eagerly tell the story: As he says, “It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.” We already anticipate the story to come is good news. If you don’t know the story, I’m sure you’re reading all of Daniel 4 today to learn of God’s miraculous signs and wonders. We all like a good story. Who can keep from knowing what God has done for even a sinner as the king?  
    God has come now for the third time in Daniel’s story to powerfully display his sovereign authority to a king who reigns over his people. God has used Nebuchadnezzar to punish Israel. Now he is using the king to display his glory and power. God’s purpose is to make his name known before his people and an idol-worshiping king. God did that in Egypt to make his name know to his people and to prepare Israel for the Exodus. God is now using signs and wonders to prepare Israel to return to Jerusalem and Judah.
    God is good at preparing us to be in his home.
 
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.