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 regg
had a wonderful spiritual experience two years ago.
It was a deeply emotional and meaningful time with God. It occurred
during a weekend church retreat. In the mornings he along with
everyone else would spend time reading the Bible and after breakfast
would spend time worshipping and hearing God’s Word taught.
The afternoon was spent playing games, having lunch, and being
with friends. After the evening meal, they would gather for
worship and hear a challenging message. During the last evening
session, God touched his heart and seemed so real. During the
week that followed, Gregg sensed the feeling was disappearing.
He started asking God for that sense of closeness to Him, but
it had drifted away.
The
Experience.
Nebuchadnezzar had a great experience too! It occurred in Daniel
2. Nebuchadnezzar had been wondering about the future. He did
not ask but God chose to reveal the future to him in a dream
that occurred night after night. Finally, Nebuchadnezzar decided
to call his wise men to find the meaning of the dream. Why did
God do this for Nebuchadnezzar? The answer is found in Isaiah.
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I
permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask
for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who
did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’
To a nation which did not call on My name. (NASB) Isaiah
65:1 |
God purposely went after the king. The king was not looking
for Him! Daniel first introduced the king to God as the One
who gave him the dream. He then proceeded to reveal the dream
and explain the meaning of it. Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed
that he worshipped Daniel.
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Then
King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to
Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering
and fragrant incense. (NASB) Daniel 2:46 |
Just picture in your mind a king leaving his throne, falling
on his knees and worshipping this servant - a young man who
was a foreigner. Why did he do this? The answer is that the
king had a great experience with God. He was so emotional that
he bowed down and worshipped the servant rather the Sender -
God.
It
Did Not Last.
When we come to Daniel 3, fourteen years appear to have elapsed,
if the notations on some ancient Septuagint copies are correct.
We discover that Nebuchadnezzar’s emotional experience
with God did not bring him a relationship with God. But it DID
change his life!
How would you
have reacted if God had visited you and said that you were the
king of kings (Dan. 2:37)? Not only did God say this, but he
added that all the future nations were inferior to Nebuchadnezzar's
kingdom. Over the next fourteen years the king conquered more
territory, obtained greater wealth and expanded his influence
in the world. If I had been the king, I would have thought that
this was what Daniel’s God was talking about. How would
you have reacted? |
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