SCRIPTURE: Daniel 4:19-27

OBSERVATION:
Daniel seems to like and support Nebuchadnezzar, wishing that this bad dream was not for him but for his enemies.
Even oppressive governments (as Babylon’s was to many nations) can have positive results for those under its authority (providing food for all, nesting places for the birds).
God may use oppressive governments to accomplish His purpose (like judging His people for their failures) but He will still hold those governments accountable for their actions.
God uses this dream to get Nebuchadnezzar’s attention, to get him to repent and chane his ways; is God still using dreams, for example to George Bush or Osama Bin Laden or Stephen Harper?
God’s concern is ALWAYS for the oppressed, and He will hold accountable those who are unjust or cruel to others.

APPLICATION:
Is God speaking to me in my dreams, like last night’s, which was really wierd?
Are there ways where I neglect the poor and needy, where I live selfishly, where God is calling me to repent?
Is there an experience in my life that God is using to get my attention?
Daniel lived as a gracious presence in a foreign culture (positive and supportive of the king who enslaved him), am I a gracious presence in my community?
Maybe the mayor’s request for more dialogue with the churches is God’s way of challenging me to be a more gracious presence in Port Perry.

PRAYER:
Lord, this reading reminds me that You are at work in my community (speaking to its leaders through dreams?), and You are challenging me to be a gracious presence here. Help me to strive be be this gracious presence. Amen.