No one can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” – Daniel 4:35
King Nebuchadnezzar found out how much control and power he had compared to the power God has. His kingdom flourished and, as far as humans go, he was one of the greats. But God, in His mercy, decided to show Nebuchadnezzar how much the power bestowed on him was a gift and something to be used for the benefit of those he ruled.
Daniel interpreted the king’s dream warning him of the terrible thing that would happen to him. When Daniel realized what the dream said, he was grieved. He advised the king to stop sinning and to be merciful to the oppressed. A year passed, and when Nebuchadnezzar boasted, God carried out his plan just as Daniel said. Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind and became like an animal. After the seven appointed years, the king’s reasoning returned and he gave God the proper credit. He learned, as today’s verse says, no one can stop God from what He wants to do or question Him about it. What God says goes.
Today you do well to listen to the king’s words, “Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and honor and extol the King of Heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37). God—not any person or group of people—has the final word. Acknowledge that God is the giver of all good things (James 1:17). And use whatever gifts you have to bless others (1 Peter 4:10). Pray for God’s will to be done in the United States, specifically in the upcoming elections.
Today’s Verse: Daniel 4:35
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as
nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of
heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 6:1-15
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
