I enjoy looking at trees in the fall when they change their color. Our peak season for leaves has come and gone and now everything looks bare. Leaves are brown and on the ground ready to be hauled away. What's left? The branches. But even then the tree is amazing. When the leaves are gone, you truly find out how massive it really is.
King Neby had a dream of a tree. The tree was in full bloom and in its splendor. Read about it in Daniel 4:1-18 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+4%3A1-18&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
King Neby had no idea what the dream meant. He trusts Daniel. He needs to know what it means. Here is another opportunity for Daniel to be used by God in a glorious way. Unfortunately, the dream was a warning. Daniel would have to say what was necessary to King Neby and King Neby may not like what he has to say.
Have you ever had to be the one to say something to another that was going to be difficult to say? None of us like it. Their reaction may affect our decision to be that person. But if we love the other person, we will endure the scorn and compassionately speak the truth in love. Daniel cared about Neby and was fully surrendered to God so there was no other option but to speak the truth in love.
Read what the Daniel's interpretation was in Daniel 4:19-27 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%204:19-27&version=NIV (Click on Back Arrow of web browser to return)
How did King Neby respond? He didn't listen to Daniel's advice of fully surrendering to God and he paid for his. God allowed him to go insane for seven years until he came back to his senses. And when he did, he glorified God and gave Him His rightful place.
Scripture teaches us that we need to speak the truth in love and sometimes it may be painful. Will that hinder you from seeing God use you in glorious ways? Daniel was fully surrendered to God and witnessed His glory, now it's your turn.
As you close: Pray that God will give you a compassionate heart towards those around you and a listening ear to the voice of the Holy Spirit. He may have some wise words that He would like to speak through you into the heart of a loved one. Those words may very well be the exact thing they needed to hear when they heard to turn things around.
God bless!
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