Gospel Reflections #260: Not a time of Punishment but a time of KNOWING God

Daniel 4:32, second half (colloquial translation) "After seven years you will come to know that at last the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to men as he wills."(Latter half of 4:29 in the New Community Translation)

This is what God said to King Nebuchadnezzar.

God is advising King Nebuchadnezzar to leave iniquity.

But King Nebuchadnezzar praised his own power.

In the first half of today's passage, God says that King Nebuchadnezzar "shall leave the world in pursuit, and shall be with the beasts of the field, and shall eat grass like an ox.

God did not do this because Nebuchadnezzar did not heed God's advice, but because God showed Nebuchadnezzar what would happen to man if he left God.

God did not punish Nebuchadnezzar, but gave him seven years to know God.

We humans may feel that this period is a time of trial, but God is giving us the opportunity to turn around.

And after seven years, Nebuchadnezzar turned to God.

God is working on us in the same way, so that we can truly know, accept, believe, choose, and obey Him.

And God is changing the course of our personal history, as we, who are helpless, are changed as God's children and accepted by God.

We get to know God more deeply by knowing who we really are and what He has done or is going to do for us. Then all we have to do is accept it, and God will change our personal history. Only God can do such a miracle.

Let us remember God's work in us every Sabbath and share joy, gratitude, and hope!

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.