We live in a world amongst a people who in general do not believe there is a God. They might pray, they might use God’s name in vain and they might mention the name of God in ways such as “O my God!” when they need to use an adjectival phrase … but believe there is a God in heaven … no! The reason I say this is because the very people who pray and “use” the name of God in various ways, do not believe there is a God by demonstrating it by their lifestyle and behavior. Daniel however, believed there is a God, who dwells in heaven and says this to the pagan king Nebuchadnezzar who had him trained for service in government, employing him.
Da 2:28 there is a God in heaven. Allow me to divert without losing this thought.
The apostle Paul knew there was a God in heaven and in fact actually met this God personally
Ac 9:3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
In Romans chapter 1 Paul, after establishing himself and his servanthood to the Gospel, he introduces the theme of “Wrath” because of rebellion against God.
1) If there is wrath, there is God.
Ro 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
Here you see the purpose for wrath because of an express evil and sinister behavior towards God, doing everything to dispel the reality of God and His existence (suppress the truth by their wickedness). God is Truth and to suppress the Truth and what the Truth has to say, is to convince yourself there is no God, therefore whatever behavior I desire, I follow.
2) If there is Truth, there is God who reveals Truth. 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. God is Truth and not only is the Truth the Truth of Revelation, He revealed Truth, laying it before mankind in the most easy to grasp way. Some might question asking “how did God reveal or expose Himself?”
3) One of the Truths about God is that He is Creator.
Ro 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
(a) The atheist’s excuse falls apart right here. This is so simple! Atheist, (and Agnostic), you say there is no God. Look at creation … God says “men (you) are without excuse”.
(b) The evolutionist’s argument falls apart right here. Look at the beauty of God’s handiwork in creation. There is no way evolution can provide this. God says “men are without excuse”. Beloved, the Noahic Flood which was global did huge damage. The sun’s ultra violet rays does damage. The perpetual causes of global warming cause damage. But look at the world around you and see the absolute wonder of creation. Just being at the coast recently reminded me of the absolute majesty of God’s craftsmanship. High tide and low tide, waves and wind, calmness and serenity. O God my Father, what beauty You show me! God says “men are without excuse”.
4) Knowing the Truth does not mean knowing the Truth!
Ro 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Many people know about God and actually even believe there is a God but they do not know this God personally. He is not in their lives. He is not their God and there is no relationship other than being a rebel … an enemy of God. This is where idolatry comes in. Man is created to worship God. So when he rejects God he needs to replace God with something else to worship. Those who seem to be so clever, wise, educated and knowledgeable, when they reject God find their minds become so polluted with wickedness that they create images (idols) to replace God as their items of worship. These lifeless idols become their gods. So here’s the issue … whatever the reason might be, many people (most people) say there is no God and live life as if there is not God … yet Daniel says
Da 2:28 there is a God in heaven.
Sin is an awful thing for it finds ways to remove God from the consciousness and replacing Him with some man made (self-created) god that is instructed to dictate and rule the conscience to believe this piece of wood, clay, steel or figment of the imagination is actually god. Yet as Daniel says
Da 2:28 there is a God in heaven.
Once the Spirit of God dwells in your heart, He convinces you that there is a God and this God reigns. At the same time you becomes aware that God does not tolerate Himself being rejected and spurned by His creation. Persistent refusing God results in God’s wrath boiling over to the point where He … as Paul writes
Ro 1:24 God gave them over.
As we progress with “Dare to be a Daniel” we will see pagan religion in the shape of
Da 2:2 magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers seeking to impress and inform their pagan king.
Further we will see that they admit their limitations to assist the king … because all pagan religions have limitations … because their gods are manmade.
Da 2:10 The astrologers answered the king, “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.”
That is the problem with all pagan religions. You see, their gods are dead idols and cannot hear, see, smell, think or perform. That is the reason for their excuse … No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men. Now it is into this environment that Daniel says
Da 2:28 there is a God in heaven.
Sin prevents understanding the Truth and the Truth about God. There is a God. He resides in heaven but he also dwells by His Spirit in the hearts of His people. Because there is a God and because Daniel knew this God personally, he was able to serve this God “daringly”. If you know God personally through Jesus are you ready to serve God daringly?
Take and use me Lord for Your Glory. Amen.