From Victom to Victor 2

Hello Everyone,

The stories in the book of Daniel give us some inspiring insights into how God’s “great salvation” changes us from victims to victors. And the first such insight is this:

I can be victorious because “there is a God in heaven” (Daniel 2:1–48)

The book of Daniel is named for the main character in the story, who was one of many exiles who were taken from their homes by force when Jerusalem was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar, and the kingdom of Judah ended by the nation of Babylon.

But though he was more than five hundred miles from home, among people who didn’t know or worship his God, Daniel’s story was just beginning.

He became an advisor to the very king who had tried to make victims of him and his people.

We’re going to study portions of Daniel 2, 3, and 6 this week to see what God has to say regarding our situations by looking at Daniel and his situation.

Daniel had become one of Nebuchadnezzar’s many court advisors.

And then, one day, the king had a dream that no one in his court could explain.

So he issued an order to kill them all!

But Daniel and his friends asked God for help, and God answered their prayers in a vision he gave to Daniel.

So Daniel told Arioch, the king’s assassin, that he could interpret the dream.

And that’s where we’ll turn to in Daniel 2, verses 25–28.

Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.”

The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”

Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come” (NIV). Daniel 2:25–28

The miniseries Sunday night summarized Daniel’s wording, “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries,” with the phrase, “But my God can.”

There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.

And because of that truth, you do not need to be a victim.

You do not need to resign yourself to your current circumstances.

You do not have to settle for the status quo, any more than Daniel did.

He faced a royal decree, a kingly contract on his life;

        “but there is a God in heaven.”

You may feel like your situation is impossible; 

        “but there is a God in heaven.”

You may be burdened by sin or sickness;

        “but there is a God in heaven.”

You may see no way to improve your dead-end marriage, your dead-end job, your dead-end life;

        “but there is a God in heaven.”

There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, who can redeem you from your past and who can give you boldness and confidence in your future.

Greater Things Are Still To Come!