He Will Keep You

Daniel 4:4-9 “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in my bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) 9 I said, ‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.’”
 
ONCE again Nebuchadnezzar has a terrifying, fearful dream. Once more he responds urgently to know the dream’s meaning. To do so, he begins where he did in Daniel 1, calling the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners to ease his troubled mind.
    What was he thinking? Had not the LORD given Daniel the meaning of the king’s first dream? Did not the king confessed God’s power? Daniel 2:47 “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” The king had also praised God when Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael came from the fire. Why is he again seeking answers from the powerless pagan officials?
    Apparently the king’s praise of God were empty words. It seems he honored God because he learned the answers to his dream, and he saw God’s power over the fire. But he seemed to put his experience with God in the corner of his mind where it God had no real meaning for his life. Nebuchadnezzar had no heart knowledge of God as the one who watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand. (Psalm 121:5) The King’s mindset was to consult demon-influenced officials and keep God in the background until life became terrifying.
    Is this the way of our human nature? Many people claim they believe in God, but few act as if they believe God is actively a Helper for their daily lives. Even when we claim, “Jesus is my Lord.” many of us are still prone to set our minds on our own abilities with no consideration of seeking the LORD. We keep him on the “Sunday Shelf” or in the “Desperate Corner” to use at our convenience.
    But then terrifying things confront us. Where do we go? What do we do? Do we seek the “enchanters and diviners” of our day who tell us, “Look to yourself.” Or are we willing to submit our fears to God, trusting, the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life;  the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:6-8)
    Nebuchadnezzar needed another humility lesson. He’s about to learn he’s not the center of the universe. What do you need today to daily set your mind on God?
 
Psalms 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.