“This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold. — Daniel 2:36-38

At this point, Daniel has told king Nebuchadnezzar about his dream by supernatural revelation. And keep in mind the king is probably right at this moment a little shocked. Especially given the detail with which Daniel describes his dream. But right into this moment of dramatic awe, Daniel inserts a reminder. And the reminder is this — you might be the current reigning emperor of the world, but the God who gave you this dream, and gave me the ability to tell you this dream, is the God who has done this. He is the God who created the world, distributes power, determines rulers, conveys dreams, and interprets dreams. This is a critical declaration by Daniel.

Fellas, this is the kind of man that God desires to use. The one who is unafraid of standing before all spiritual opposition. Nebuchadnezzar is a pagan and enemy king. One that had overpowered God's nation and taken his people into exile. Yet we see that Daniel isn't vindictive, angry, or on the attack when he gets his first chance to appear before the king. He doesn't curse or insult him for what he has done. Because Daniel knows this — Nebuchadnezzar didn't do it. God did it.

I think sometimes men misunderstand what it means for us to stand against our opposition. We are called to stand against all spiritual opposition. Yet, at the same time, as we do it, we must be careful not to stand against God. And Daniel models how to do this. Nebuchadnezzar is his spiritual opposition. But Daniel knows something. He knows that God brought the nation into exile because of their unfaithfulness. So Daniel is content to trust God in this circumstance. Does this mean Daniel should compromise his spiritual beliefs because his circumstances changed? No. But Daniel has to find new ways to stand against his opposition than he did before. As God's man, he has to be careful not to take matters into his own hands as he stands up for his beliefs. He had to be careful that in the process of standing against his opposition, he didn't end up standing against God.

Daniel knows God has given him a supernatural revelation with extraordinary power. But Daniel has to steward this in a way that brings attention to God, not himself or his sense of justice. And notably, he speaks into this moment, reminding Nebuchadnezzar that he is great but that there is a greater King. And in some strange way, I think Daniel might be making this statement here to remind the king and himself that God is still in charge so that he does not act against God.

As you go about this day, take some time to remind yourself that God is still in charge. It may not seem like it, but he got this. And then, when God calls you to stand against the spiritual opposition — go for it, and speak up. But as you do it, be careful not to stand against God because no man stands against the greatness of our God.

ASK THIS: Where do you need to stand against spiritual opposition?

DO THIS: Stand and speak.

PRAY THIS: God, may I never stand against you.

PLAY THIS: We Bow Low.

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