Today’s scripture: Daniel 2:46-49 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tammy Mills):
We had one of those “proud parent moments” a few weeks ago. Our girls were selected to be campers of the week! Out of the hundreds of campers our two precious offspring had won the coveted honor! The award was presented at a parent luncheon, so all could witness the greatness of our kids! What a moment, watching them get their awards in front of all those other green-with-envy parents!
After the awards ceremony, we were taking pictures and gloating a bit about their awards. Our youngest was gazing lovingly at the award around her neck; suddenly she asked us “Moms, can I bring my award back to camp next week so that everyone will remember I am the camper of the week?” Our youngest has already learned a valuable, TLC worthy, life lesson — “how quickly folks forget!”
Today’s scripture reminds me of this valuable life lesson. God will often do something amazing in our lives, only to find us a few days later, with a kind of amnesia as to what God did just a few days ago. Nebuchadnezzar worships God and promotes Daniel and the gang — but for how long? We will find in the following verses that this isn’t a very lasting transformation. In the following chapters ol’ Neb will create an image in his own likeness and command all to worship it. He will then proceed to throw Daniel in the Lions’ Den and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in a fiery furnace.
Thought for the day: Do we take time to remember what God has done for us? Is the transformation taking place in my heart a permanent thing or a temporary thing?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.