In Daniel chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar was headed for a downfall because of his great pride. But God, in his mercy, warns the King through his servant Daniel. Before God’s judgment came he gave King Nebuchadnezzar a whole year to obey the warning and be open to this teachable moment. But the King wouldn’t listen and since God couldn’t get his attention through teaching and instruction, he got his attention through pressure and pain.

Scriptures
Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:105, Acts 2:46, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Philippians 3:14

Verse
King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper. (Daniel 4:27)

Thought
God’s desire is to get our attention through teaching and instruction because He he has a plan for our lives that he wants us to live out. He does that by having us plug in to His word and His church, by having us power up through connecting at a deeper level with a small group of believers and pressing on in difficult times with the help of the Holy Spirit. However when we won’t listen to His teaching and instruction, he gets our attention through pressure and pain.

Questions
Have you been spending time each day in God’s Word? What’s been keeping you from consistently plugging in to the church? Who do you meet with to help you in your walk with Christ? What will it take to change your focus from you to God?

Response
Victory didn’t come for King Nebuchadnezzar until he surrendered his life to God. Take time this week to bend a knee and humble yourself before God and surrender your life to Him.

Prayer
Dear Father, forgive me for holding on to my stubborn will for so long. Help me to learn through the Bible and church and other believers so you don’t have to get my attention through pressure and pain. In Jesus name I pray.