December 21: Nebuchadnezzar

[Read Daniel 4]

King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful man who destroyed Jerusalem (526 BC) and led many Hebrews into a Babylonian captivity is confronted by the God whom he has defied. After being driven from his kingdom and made to eat grass like a wild beast for a whole year, King Nebuchadnezzar finally looks to heaven and his sanity is restored. He becomes so grateful that he cannot contain his joy anymore.

In an open letter to the world, he proclaims (Daniel 4:1-2), “King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.”

This experience of uncontainable joy reminds me of another occasion when a few shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks at night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appears to them and says, “Behold, I bring you good news that’s going to bring great joy to all people! A Savior has been born to you in Bethlehem. You will find a baby lying in a manger.” This is followed by a multitude of angels praising God and singing.

The shepherds then checked out the angels’ message and saw the baby Jesus for themselves, and like King Nebuchadnezzar, they couldn’t contain their joy anymore. In an “open letter” to the world these shepherds told everyone the “Good News” of Christmas!

Pastor Ed House
Door of Life Christian Fellowship – Sister Bay



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

November 29: Othniel

Image
Judges 3:7-11 As we start to prepare for the 2021 Christmas season, it is good to reflect on the subject and purpose of the Holiday. Jesus, more than a babe in a manger, is the Judge of all the earth as recorded in Genesis 18:25. Judgment is always necessary in scripture, that the righteous may be vindicated, and the unrighteous may be punished. The very fact that Jesus came to earth that He might become sin for us, taking that punishment for all who repent and receive this gift of salvation. In the passage listed for this devotion, God’s people have lived contrary to His teachings and expectations. As such, God’s anger brings them into bondage for their wrong living. When things become distressing enough, we find them crying out to Him for deliverance. It is not until then that God raises up Othniel, as judge, to deliver His people. Here we are about to close out 2021 following the events that have emerged since 2020. For a student of the Bible, could what we have been experienc
Read more

December 8: Hosea

Image
Hosea 1-3 The story of Hosea is hard to hear (it’s kind of risqué), but it’s incredibly basic to our life as Christians in relationship with a Merciful God. A metaphor integrates the invisible world with the visible. Metaphors help us see things that are otherwise unseen. For example, what is sin against God? Well, we could say that sin against God is simply sin against God. That’s just what it is. Or, we could say that sin against God is when a woman is married to a husband who is a good man, a husband who loves her and cares for her, and yet this woman leaves her husband, abandons his love, and she goes to sell her body on the streets…and she does this because…when love and things are weighed in the balance…one is often more tangible, or understandable. From our couches, dinner tables or beds – wherever we’re reading these devotions, we question Gomer and why she would stray from the comforts Hosea provides. And, then you think about comfort foods…or staying in bed (or just at home)
Read more

December 1: Deborah

Image
Judges 4-5 For many who read the story of Deborah in Judges 4 & 5, what sticks with them is the rather gruesome murder of the Canaanite King Jabin, by Jael, the wife of one of the tribal leaders allied against him. While he sleeps, thinking he has found shelter in her tent, Jael drives a tent peg through his eye with a hammer. This is not exactly the easiest material to be discussing in an Advent devotional. But a deeper dive into the story of Deborah brings us rich inspiration during this season of preparation and anticipation for the gift of the Christ child. The Advent stories provide us the examples of courage and faithfulness of women like Elizabeth and Mary who responded to God’s calling in their lives. Deborah is a unique example in the Old Testament of a woman who rises to the moment when God asks her to deliver her people. Deborah was a Judge, the leader of Israel during a time of great oppression, and she was also identified as a prophet. It is remarkable to find a woman
Read more