It’s Time to Testify (Daniel 4-6)
11:40 PM
Several weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending a church service where the pastor felt prompted by God to forego the planned message and have people share testimonies instead. It was one of the most heartwarming services I have ever attended. Each story shared was unique and amazing. It was so emotionally touching to hear how God had worked in each person’s life to get their attention and showcase how awesome He was and how desperately they needed to surrender their hearts to Him. As I read through Daniel 4-6 I felt like there were some amazing testimonies on display as well.
Nebuchadnezzar's Testimony: Nebuchadnezzar was King of Babylon when Babylon was a vast and flourishing empire. He was a proud and powerful ruler who had a very important lesson to learn: Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that only God is all powerful. At the beginning of chapter 4 we have Nebuchadnezzar's testimony written by him, from his point of view. It is a story of a man who needed God to shake him up to get his attention.
“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.” (4:4-5)
God warned Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel pleaded with him to change his ways but Nebuchadnezzar didn’t heed the warning. God stripped him of his ability to rule and be powerful by taking away the faculties of his mind as well as his dignity. “He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagle’s feathers and his nails were like bird’s claws.” (4:33)
Sounds drastic and cruel, perhaps, but God was actually showing great love and mercy to Nebuchadnezzar. As Charles Swindoll writes: God will go to extremes to show us that He’s Lord. Sometimes, like a surgeon, God has to hurt us to heal us. He uses afflictions like a scalpel, cutting deep into the cancerous core of our sin. We cry as if the world will end, but out of our pain comes new life. Eventually, we are glad that God cared enough to discipline us and through the doorway of sorrow, give us a second chance.”
Nebuchadnezzar is humbled and changed forever as He surrenders his heart to God. “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever.” (4:34)
Daniel’s Testimony:
Throughout Daniel’s life, he shows consistent dedication to honoring God and having a relationship with God. Daniel exhibits many valued traits and skills that help him find favor with the pagan rulers he must serve under. When Darius (ruler of the Medes and Persians) sets up leadership roles, he gives Daniel a high office. Jealous, less ranking officials set up a trap to use Daniel’s devotion to God as a death sentence. Daniel testifies of his trust in God by his continued devotion:
“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” (6:10) We all know the story of how Daniel was thrown into the den of lions and an angel of the Lord shut the mouths of the hungry lions and kept Daniel unharmed. That is an amazing testimony that has been declared for thousands of years. But, what is even more amazing is how this testimony produced another testimony.
Darius” Testimony: Darius, the ruler of the Medes and Persians, is not committed to serving God. Just like with Nebuchadnezzar, however, God does drastic things to get his attention. God uses the suffering of Daniel to humble Darius. Darius cares for Daniel but he can not go against the letter of the law and make exceptions for Daniel to be spared the fate of the lion’s den. Darius realizes that the only one who can save Daniel is the God that Daniel trusts in. Darius pulls an all-nighter, petitioning to God to save Daniel. The next morning, he returns to the den and is in awe of God’s intervention. He humbles himself and gives his heart to God He makes a decree…” that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever..” (6:26)
“I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.” (4:4-5)
God warned Nebuchadnezzar, and Daniel pleaded with him to change his ways but Nebuchadnezzar didn’t heed the warning. God stripped him of his ability to rule and be powerful by taking away the faculties of his mind as well as his dignity. “He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagle’s feathers and his nails were like bird’s claws.” (4:33)
Sounds drastic and cruel, perhaps, but God was actually showing great love and mercy to Nebuchadnezzar. As Charles Swindoll writes: God will go to extremes to show us that He’s Lord. Sometimes, like a surgeon, God has to hurt us to heal us. He uses afflictions like a scalpel, cutting deep into the cancerous core of our sin. We cry as if the world will end, but out of our pain comes new life. Eventually, we are glad that God cared enough to discipline us and through the doorway of sorrow, give us a second chance.”
Nebuchadnezzar is humbled and changed forever as He surrenders his heart to God. “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever.” (4:34)
Daniel’s Testimony:
Throughout Daniel’s life, he shows consistent dedication to honoring God and having a relationship with God. Daniel exhibits many valued traits and skills that help him find favor with the pagan rulers he must serve under. When Darius (ruler of the Medes and Persians) sets up leadership roles, he gives Daniel a high office. Jealous, less ranking officials set up a trap to use Daniel’s devotion to God as a death sentence. Daniel testifies of his trust in God by his continued devotion:
“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” (6:10) We all know the story of how Daniel was thrown into the den of lions and an angel of the Lord shut the mouths of the hungry lions and kept Daniel unharmed. That is an amazing testimony that has been declared for thousands of years. But, what is even more amazing is how this testimony produced another testimony.
Darius” Testimony: Darius, the ruler of the Medes and Persians, is not committed to serving God. Just like with Nebuchadnezzar, however, God does drastic things to get his attention. God uses the suffering of Daniel to humble Darius. Darius cares for Daniel but he can not go against the letter of the law and make exceptions for Daniel to be spared the fate of the lion’s den. Darius realizes that the only one who can save Daniel is the God that Daniel trusts in. Darius pulls an all-nighter, petitioning to God to save Daniel. The next morning, he returns to the den and is in awe of God’s intervention. He humbles himself and gives his heart to God He makes a decree…” that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever..” (6:26)
We each have our own unique story. We each have had to come to terms with our own sin and pride. We each have had to humble ourselves and surrender our hearts to God. Perhaps it is our story that God will use to touch the heart of another and help them see their need. May I encourage you to take the opportunity to share your stories with others. It’s time to testify of all the wonders that He has done.
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