November 27th One Year Bible Readings

Daniel 4:1-37 ~ 2 Peter 1:1-21 ~ Psalm 119:97-112 ~ Proverbs 28:17-18
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Old Testament - Daniel chapter 4 is an incredible chapter today!  There is a lot going on in this one.  We open up this chapter with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon giving praise to God as verses 2 & 3 tell us: "I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.  How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations." Does this sound like the Nebuchadnezzar we've come to know?  We'll, we must read on as he tells us how he got to the point of praising God like this...

Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the tree in this chapter is relatively straightforward, as is the interpretation that Daniel gives.  One intriguing verse to me was verse 27 where Daniel pleads with Nebuchadnezzar to repent to avoid what will happen per the dream - "O King Nebuchadnezzar, please listen to me. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past by being merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper."  Do you think Nebuchadnezzar listened to Daniel?  What if Daniel was telling us to do this same thing this very day?  Would we listen?  Will we stop sinning and do what is right?  Will we be merciful to the poor?  Below is a portrait by Guy Rowe of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the tree:

We see the sin of pride bring down Nebuchadnezzar in verse 30 as follows - "Just look at this great city of Babylon! I, by my own mighty power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence and as an expression of my royal splendor."  Are their times in our life where we boast of what we have "done" or "created" by our "own mighty power"?  Good idea.... ?

In this chapter today Nebuchadnezzar becomes Gollum from the Lord of the Rings!  :)  Yes, I did hear someone teach on this chapter recently and he placed up on screen a picture of Gollum from Lord of the Rings and suggested this is what happened to Nebuchadnezzar essentially in verse 33 - "That very same hour the prophecy was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles' feathers and his nails were like birds' claws." Can you see how sin can drive us to basic animal instincts? Like Gollum?  Do you see how godly wisdom can save us from becoming like animals?  Like Gollum?  Pride seems to be a very tempting sin for all of us - and not a good one to pursue - as Nebuchadnezzar tells us himself in verse 37 -"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble those who are proud." Do you believe this to be true?  Below is an image of Gollum... and perhaps Nebuchadnezzar for seven years?

Verse 36 also stands out to me in this chapter only because it reminds me of the end of the book of Job - "When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and officers sought me out, and I was reestablished as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before."   A reminder that God gives and takes away - and can give again...

New Testament - Today we start the book of Second Peter!  This is another great letter from Peter to the early Christian church written in approximately 65 to 68 A.D., just before Peter was martyred during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero.  1 Peter was more of a letter of encouragement to early Christians who were facing suffering, whereas 2 Peter is written to dispel false teachings within early Christianity.  Below is a fresco by Michelangelo of Peter being crucified, in the Sistine Chapel in Rome:

~ Second Peter ~
Author: Peter the apostle
Place: Uncertain, perhaps Rome
Date: A.D. 67
Content: This letter was written by Peter shortly before his death and deals with the problems that the church would face after his departure. He encourages the believers to continue in their spiritual growth, realizing the truth of the Christian gospel. It does not consist of fable but fact. He warns them of false teachers who would destroy the truth by exalting their own ideas over those of the church. Finally, he points out that Christ will return some day to destroy the old order of this world; as a result, we ought not to become too attached to it.
Theme: Second Peter is a call to steadfastness in the midst of numerous pressures to drift from the truth. The world is seeking to undo the work of God, but we must resist all such pressure by living godly lives, believing the truth, enduring persecution, trusting God, and looking for Christ’s return. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 33) A great overview of Second Peter and the other “Non-Pauline Epistles” by J. Hampton Keathley is at this link. (Scroll down just below his commentary on First Peter to get to his commentary on Second Peter.)  Below is a painting of Peter by William Holman Hunt -

2 Peter 1 verse 3 brings up a couple of good questions we should ask ourselves - "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life."  Do you want to know Jesus better?  How will you do this?  (hint - reading the Bible daily is one great way...)  How else?  Do you want to live a godly life?  What does a godly life look like? Do you believe Jesus' divine power gives you everything you need to live a godly life?

Verse 19 makes a One Year Bible Blogger happy :) - "Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place--until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts."  I think one of the beautiful things about the One Year Bible is going through both the Old Testament and New Testament each day.  We learn from the prophets and can play close attention to what they wrote - for as Peter says, their words are like a light shining in the dark!  Below is a stained glass image of the prophet Elijah (Elias is Greek for Elijah) -

Psalms - Psalm 119 verse 105 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible! "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path." Do you believe God's Word, the Bible, is a lamp for your feet?  A light for your path?  To help put this in perspective - without God's Word, the Bible, is it possible that we would have no lamp for our feet?   No light for our paths?  That we'd essentially be groping in the darkness without God's Word, the Bible?

Verse 111 is incredible:  "Your decrees are my treasure; they are truly my heart's delight."  What is your treasure?  Where is your treasure?  Is God's Word, the Bible, truly your heart's delight?

Proverbs - Proverbs 28:17 today tells us - "A murderer's tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don't protect him!"  There is a very real example of this Proverb with Cain in Genesis chapter 4, where Cain became restless for the remainder of his days after murdering his brother Abel....  In Genesis 4:14 Cain himself tells us - "I will be a restless wanderer on the earth."  This is one of the saddest moments in the Bible for me.  It was actually quite heartbreaking for me to google search images of Cain and Abel to post up something relevant below.  I did find this anonymous artwork of Cain below, which I think captures the horrific nature of murder in a small way -

YouTube - Today's readings in Daniel reminds me of Chris Sligh's song "Empty Me:"

Comments from you - What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Anka]

Nebuchadnezzar in one breathe praised the Lord and in another put gods above the living God.He called Daniel belteshazzar,knowing well that Daniel served God...also attributed Daniel's wisdom to the gods.One thing stands out through...like pharaoh was blessed because of Joseph,it seems Nebuchadnezzar was too because God warned him to repent and restored him after he did....could Daniel have been praying for him....kinda makes me wonder.
It's sad to see that the very things Paul warned against are happening today.Truly it is wise to continue to study God's word and live our lives accordingly.A lot of things have been changed from the original teachings,many things have been termed"not relevant to our present culture...May God give us the grace to go forward in the truth as it is...His truth doesn't change with time,it's eternal.One of the teachers in the bible study I go to says he's been reading through the bible in a year for 10 years....and still going...each time God gives him a deeper insight and it sure does show.I pray Mike's ministry will continue and God keeps him strong...God bless you mightily as you bless us Mike cos it does take time to study and find images for each daily post....
God bless you all

[Andrew]

t's not difficult to imagine what Nebuchadnezzar felt. In which the wisdom have been drawn out for 10 year, and once it come back, facing the past beasty 10 years that he lives. I think at that time he know the way that the LORD said, which drive him out of the beasty way, is planed for his own good. That's why he take this teaching as gift and praise the lord, not the other way round.

I am a Chinese Speaker, so my English might be little bit strange. It's my first day of 1 year bible, and I would like to thanks for the one year bible idea and your blog. It lift up my quiet time quality and refresh my passion to his word.

With love in him,
Andrew

[Pat]

My thoughts on Daniel 4: This chapter describes how Nebuchadnezzar suffered through a mental breakdown or period of insanity that lasted for seven years. I think from this chapter we get two strong messages.

First, sin can bring on insanity. Sins such as false pride, jealousy, and anger can grow within us until they take over our body both physically and mentally. These sins can grow and take over one’s inner being until they displace one’s sense of logic. It is only through God’s love and our love of God that we have the strength and power to fight against and overcome these sins.

The second lesson is the earthly kingship of Nebuchadnezzar itself that was continued through these seven years of insanity. Even though he was unable to rule during those seven years, the people did not oust him from office. This in itself was unheard of and could even be considered a miracle! When his sanity returned and he was able to resume his kingly duties, the position was not only waiting for Nebuchadnezzar but the people still regarded him as their king. The lesson here for us is that there will be times in life, even though we try to fight them, when we will be overcome with negative feelings such as false pride, anger and jealousy. We need to recognize these negative feelings for what they are – sins – and we need to realize they will only be temporary and will never become a permanent part of our lives IF we continue to seek out and praise God while going through these emotional trials. God will not leave us during these times but instead He will stay with us and help us work through the problem. God will hold the righteous position open for us and welcome our return when the insanity is lifted!

God Bless,
Pat

[L]

hi andrew

welcome to the one year bible blog community. It is challenging to stay with this wonderful spiritual discipline, but what makes it a bit easier is knowing that others are also on the same journey. The periodic postings can also provide a light form of accounability to engage with others around the world.

Being 54 years young :0), I found Psalm 119:112 a strong incentive to keep on keeping on in my devotion to the Lord--"My heart is set on keeping your decrees TO THE VERY END." One of the ways to stay faithful to keep on growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2 and 3:18) but also to have 'Peters' in my life who 'will always remind you/me of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have." 2Pet1:12

[Jenny]

haha! as i was reading your blog, i totally 4got which one gollom was...then i saw that pic, LOL!! "preccccciouuuus".

Anyhow, i love Daniel. Neb is a great example of what happens to ppl who are high and mighty and prideful (reminds me of Saddam, hiding in that little cave like a rat!). But Neb came TO his sanity and glorified God! None of us are immune from that. Look at the prodigal son who took his inheritance, went to town, partied it up and lost it all! he ended up living amongst swine and eating pig slop! he was reduced to an animal-like state. You can see the consequences of sinful living daily, very sad :( but if it brings then to the Lord, how marvelous!

2 Peter is amazing. We were studing Luke 22 tonight at church and just reading and seeing how peter was when he was with Jesus, to how he is later, the great man he became through the power of Christ. I always liked peter the best, he was earnest but made so many foolish mistakes, out of ignorance, but we all do! (like when Jesus was speaking figuratively of swords during the last supper, the disciples ran and grabbed swords: look lord, here are two! Jesus was like, oh boy! enough, haha.) But I think Peter's a great example of a simple man who stumbled early on but became bold and steadfast in his faith!

I love the psalms again! awesome! the word is indeed sweeter then honey....i crave it more and more everyday!

Back to Peter, this is right on! "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life."

Studying His word daily, attending church, preferrably more then once a week, midweek is always a very healthy refresher, listening to radio or online ministires. Conversing with fellow believers about the Lord, talking with older Christians who have more insight/wisdom, writing down your insights or what spoke to you like in this comment field, listening to Godly music. Thats a big one for me. When i start listening to secular music, i start slipping...thats my own personal area though, i cant tell u the difference when i drive to work listening to Godly music, and praying before work...if i dont, i'm doomed! and be persistant...dont put stuff off!

I'm going not be liked for this, but I am not a believer in new year's resolutions. I say, why WAIT? do it now! For me, things like that fail. Like when I start exercsing, eating good, why wait til Jan 1? start now! why wait to put off God's word?? which is more important! I need it now!! everyday! Personally I think its a cop out and lazy going by my own experience. Sorry....i know ppl might not like that, but when it comes to the Lord, dont put it off! none of us are promised a new year!

Great teachings for the day!!!

[Mae]

I totally agree with my girlie Jenny!!! I feel exactly the same way about new year resolutions, why wait? If you want to do it, quit it, change it or whatever ... why wait? Do it now! Quit now! Change now! At the other hand ... I'm glad when people give up their bad habbits ... LOL But for me personally it doesn't work. So okay, that's for that ...

"Verse 19 makes a One Year Bible Blogger happy :)" ... well, that could've been me, cause the Old Testament is so hard to get through for me. I'm always reading the comments in the blogs and then read further and think "Ohhhhhhhhh right, now I get it!". But you know what; when I get it, I get it good! So that's positive!

I love Psalm 119:97 - Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

His law makes me a better person, His law makes me more aware of what's going on in my life and the lives of others. I became another person when I started to study God's law. It's beautiful!

[R]

Daniel 4:1-37

The LORD controls rulers, just as he determines the course of rivers. (Pro 21:1)

The first dream that Neb has that is recorded in Daniel, the court advisers are asked to not only interpret the dream but they are told to tell the king what he dreamed. Crazy? No. This message the king himself describes to his advisers. God set both the first and second dream in motion so that 1) Daniel could gain entrance to the court of the king as a much admired wise counselor and 2) confirms the trust placed in Daniel by the king. The problem with ole Neb is that in the face of God’s power he places the “god of heaven” on the same level as all the rest of Babylon’s gods. Bad move.

The dream and its interpretation, would have sent most men and women into a tizzy. However, Daniel speaks the truth to the king about what is about to happen to him if he doesn’t repent. How many people in their quest to be approved and liked by their superiors and peers, speak untruths or water down the truth so everyone will like them? Whether it is pride, greed or lust, sin is sin [The wages of sin (singular) is death. Rom. 6:23] and I will not speculate that it was pride that brought the king to the place where he lost his mind. Besides when someone is in sin, they are irrational, unreasonable and illogical no matter what the cause. Just like “back in the days” of the garden, it was good to eat and looked good and it was desirous to make her and hubby wise, (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride, wrapped up in one package) Gen. 3:6.

Let us also note that Neb’s sin was called out. He was warned! God desires our attention and He will send warning after warning, as we saw in the prophets. Nothing happens to us as a consequence when we are wallowing in our sin that we have not been warned about. The question is, are we paying attention to the signs and the voice of God?

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them, and departed. (Mat 16:2-4)

[art]

What a blessing this page has been, and what a blessing those that comment have been!
Mae, what a beautiful thought about becoming a different person! Happy to know the new you. The only true response to Scripture is change!

[Sue]

II Peter 1

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Is this the progression?

Faith +

Goodness +

Knowledge +

Self-control +

Perseverence +

Godliness +

brotherly kindness +

love

What I mean is: If, like, infants, we walk before we crawl, will we have to go back and learn to crawl so that none of our developmental milestones are overlooked and, hence, prevent our progress in other areas?

If, for instance, we exercise perseverence in our faith, but have not mastered goodness, knowledge, and self-control, will we have to go back and grasp onto those principles in order to be effective and productive in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?

It looks like that to me.

17 " 'The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.'

~~~The Most High is sovereign...setting them over the LOWLIEST of men.

24 "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."

~~ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE MOST HIGH IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE KINGDOMS OF MEN AND GIVES THEM TO ANYONE HE WISHES

Gives me confidence that all that is going on in the world is "covered" and that we can focus on God and not be weighted down by things about which we have no control. :)

31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."

~~Again, the Most high is sovereign (he rules!) and He alone has decreed who is in charge! Yea God!!!

35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: "What have you done?"

~~I think we sometimes try to judge God by "our" standards of fairness, yet as Paul says in Romans, the clay is not going to be able to dictate to the potter. :)

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

~~~~Ouch! Hurts so good! :)

[R]

Daniel 4:1-37

There is a warning that runs through both our Old and New Testament reading today and that is pride, or should I say, a warning against pride. Pride gives strength to sin and the antidote is “humiliation.” Sadly those who know the Word and read it daily can be the one who are most guilty of doing this.

As we feast on the Word there is a beauty that comes to us that attracts people along with the wisdom we acquire from studying God’s Word. The danger is thinking that it is not all about us and the wisdom we reflect is not ours. Like the moon that reflects the glory of the sun, we too reflect the Glory of the Son.

Daniel’s warning:

Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins and show the reality of your repentance by righteousness (right standing with God and moral and spiritual rectitude and rightness in every area and relation) and liberate yourself from your iniquities by showing mercy and loving-kindness to the poor and oppressed, that [if the king will repent] there may possibly be a continuance and lengthening of your peace and tranquility and a healing of your error. (Daniel 4:27 AMP)

The king’s response after his “romp” with nature (28-33):

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, Whose works are all faithful and right and Whose ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase and humble. (Daniel 4:37 AMP)

2 Peter 1:1-21

In this letter there is an indirect warning to pay close attention to scripture. We are reminded that it is the Holy Spirit that moved the prophets to speak not the prophets own wisdom or learning. So it is for us and our pastors and elder to always point our admirers to Jesus. I have seen too many people, self-included, who believe that the wisdom they speak out is because they are so righteous and holy. No, we are only a vessel used by God. It is pride that causes us to take the Glory due to God for ourselves.

Psalms 119: 97-112

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me. I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation. [II Tim. 3:15.] I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].
(Psalms 119:98-100 AMP)

All those on this journey of reading through the Bible, the entire Bible, and making it a life study are headed for a depth of wisdom, knowledge and understanding that not only will cause the world to scratch their heads, but also cause the seeker to be amazed and marvel at the things that come out of our mouths. However, again we must remember that this wisdom is from God not us.

Proverbs 28:17-18

This Proverb,

17A murderer's tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don't protect him!

Should go hand-in-hand with,

A man of great wrath shall suffer the penalty; for if you deliver him [from the consequences], he will [feel free to] cause you to do it again.
(Proverbs 19:19 AMP)

[Nkechi]

2 peter 1 : 3, God has given us all things that pertains to life and godliness but its according to the knowledge you have of him. What is it that you need or what situation are you experiencing now, search the scriptures for what he says, believe it and pray it.