A Man Set Apart: Daniel 4 (Daily Devo)
Chapter three ended last week with Nebuchadnezzar praising God because of his deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the seven-times-hotter fiery furnace. He made a decree that a tearing of limb from limb be executed on anyone who spoke against God and in chapter four, we see him send a testimony of what the Most High God had done for him.
“Peace be multiplied to you!” This has a similar ring of a letter written from a New Testament apostle, declaring God’s glory through the gospel and having the aim to bring peace through Christ to the reader.
Through what has happened so far: the interpretation of dreams and the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar has come to recognize Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s God as the Most High God and that no other god can deliver like their God can.
This week is another such instance. Nebuchadnezzar will declare to his kingdom what the Most High has done for him. We will get to see his dream come true, and continue to see the Most High work on King Nebby to get the glory due him.
I pray that as you worship as a family this week, whether devo times are calm or crazy, that you and your family will see the glory of God. He truly is the Most High God who gives his glory to no other and deserves to be worshiped in all humility. Continue being faithful this week to make our God known to yourself, your spouse, and your kids, for his glory.
John Rogers attends Connection Community Church (C3) in Rowlett. John serves as the Children's and Family Pastor and as an elder. John and his wife Chassidy are passionate about teaching good doctrine and stumbling along side parents to make disciples of children. They have two children: Sophia and Josiah.
Day 1: Daniel 4:1-7
Weekly Catechism:
- Q31: What do we believe by true faith?
- A: Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. (bolded text are for younger children).
READ:
[1] King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! [2] It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
[3] How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
[4] I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. [5] I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. [6] So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. [7] Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation. - Daniel 4:1-7 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
Suggested Question: After Nebuchadnezzar experienced the greatness of the Lord, what seemed good for him to do? Should we, as Christians, have the same desire to tell of what God has done for us?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Lord help us be witnesses of all that you have done for us.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: Daniel 4:8-18
Weekly Catechism:
- Q31: What do we believe by true faith?
- A: Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. (bolded text are for younger children).
READ:
[8] At last Daniel came in before me—he who was named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream, saying, [9] “O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you, tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation. [10] The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. [11] The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. [12] Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. [13] “I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. [14] He proclaimed aloud and said thus: ‘Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. [15] But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. [16] Let his mind be changed from a man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him. [17] The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ [18] This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” - Daniel 4:8-18 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What was different about Daniel? Why would he have been able to interpret the dream? What was in him?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Spirit that lives inside of us as believers. He helps us, empowers us, and bears witness to our spirit that we are children of God.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: Daniel 4:19-27
Weekly Catechism:
- Q31: What do we believe by true faith?
- A: Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. (bolded text are for younger children).
READ:
[19] Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies! [20] The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, [21] whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived—[22] it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. [23] And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ [24] this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, [25] that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. [26] And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. [27] Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” - Daniel 4:19-27 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Why are all of these things going to happen to Nebuchadnezzar? Will his kingdom be restored? What must happen first? (See the end of verse 25)
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: God Most High, you rule the kingdoms of men and give them to whom you will. You are the Most High and King of Kings.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: Daniel 4:28-33
Weekly Catechism:
- Q31: What do we believe by true faith?
- A: Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. (bolded text are for younger children).
READ:
[28] All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. [29] At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” [31] While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, [32] and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” [33] Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. 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 eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws. - Daniel 4:28-33 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: All of this came upon Nebuchadnezzar like Daniel had told him. Did the warning from Daniel change Nebuchadnezzar’s heart at all?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Lord we know we are sinners just like Nebuchadnezzar and don’t give you the glory you deserve. We pray like King David, “Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.” We thank you for your Son, Jesus, who died for our sin and has made us righteous.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 5: Daniel 4:34-37
Weekly Catechism:
- Q31: What do we believe by true faith?
- A: Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. (bolded text are for younger children).
READ:
[34] 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,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
[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?”
[36] At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. [37] Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor 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 4:34-37 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Nebuchadnezzar seems to have come to his right mind and repented. What did he learn through all of this?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: God you love your glory. Would you make us a family that lives for your glory. Would our house be for your greatness and would we humbly serve you.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
