Sweeter Than Honey Our Influence Matters

Sweeter Than Honey: Our Influence Matters

9/13/2022

In Daniel 4-6, we read about 3 kings of Babylon--Nebuchadnezzar, his son Belshazzar, and Darius the Mede. Daniel had influence, for the Most High God [#ElElyon], over all 3 of these. Our influence matters! We know from reading about King Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream that he had a problem with pride. He reveals through that dream,

From the Old Testament to the New, the eternality of God's Word is clearly proclaimed:

Job tells us, “I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12).

Isaiah reminds us that, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

And Matthew records Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

God's Word is like an eternal Love Letter to us!

Have you ever received a love letter, friend? Did you read it? Did you read it just once, or did you read it over and over again? A Love Letter is a treasure when you love the One who sent it!

How would you like to read through God's Love Letter—His Word, the Bible, with a group of like-minded, Christian girlfriends? We're doing that over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group. Did you know you don't have to start a Bible reading plan on January 1? You can begin today! This simple plan, and an accountability partner, will help you succeed. Who will be your accountability partner? Share this post with them and invite them to the private Facebook group.

JOIN THE PRIVATE SWEETER THAN HONEY FACEBOOK GROUP

Sweeter Than Honey is patterned after this Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, here at the blog, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through God's Word and Sweeter Than Honey, together! I would also encourage you to Join us over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group, introduce yourself, meet new friends, and share your thoughts there as well. We're waiting for you!

Daniel 4-6: Our Influence Matters

In this passage, we read about three kings of Babylon—Nebuchadnezzar, his son Belshazzar, and Darius the Mede. Daniel had influence, for the Most High God, over all three of these. Our influence matters!

“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.

How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion endures from generation to generation.” (Daniel 4:1-3)

We know from reading about King Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream that he had a problem with pride. He reveals through that dream, "...to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will and sets over it the lowliest of men." (Daniel 4:17)

Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind and his kingdom was taken from him. But then, after a period of seven years, his mind and kingdom were restored.

“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to Heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored Him Who lives forever, for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of Heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; none can stay His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Daniel 4:28-35)

King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, saw the hand writing on the wall. After his enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers could not interpret the writing, at the queen’s request, he brought in Daniel.

"The king answered and said to Daniel, ‘You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah. I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.’” (Daniel 5:13-14)

After Belshazzar, Darius the Mede became king of Babylon. This is the king that was tricked into throwing Daniel into the lions’ den. “The king declared to Daniel, ‘May your God, Whom you serve continually, deliver you!’ …Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him” (Daniel 6:18).

So, how are you using your influence today for the Most High God?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a love letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important—the eternal. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are all tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can.

Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!

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8 Comments

Barbara Harper link

9/13/2022 09:07:04 am

It's amazing to think that when Daniel was exiled as a young man or teen, he had no idea the influence he would someday have. As we walk faithfully with God day by day, he will bring us to the places and people where He wants us to shine His light.

Patsy Burnette link

9/13/2022 11:35:18 am

Yes, He will, Barbara!! And just as God was with Daniel in the lion's den, He will be with us through whatever situations He causes us to go through.

"As he [King Darius] came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, 'O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?'

Then Daniel said to the king, 'O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before Him...'” Daniel 6:20-22

I think the key phrase here is "whom you serve continually."

Maryleigh link

9/13/2022 11:01:05 am

Good Morning, Patsy! It is encouraging to be reminded of how those who love and pursue God remain steadfast in times of God of upheaval. Influence is such a media-driven word for surface impact - but maybe I hope that my writing and photography would plant seeds for God - that would encourage them to reach for Him. Shalom!

9/13/2022 11:37:27 am

Yes, Maryleigh, God gives each of us areas of influence for His glory. Our influence may not be in the presence of kings, but it is just as important!

I love these 5 descriptive words of Daniel’s character that we find in chapters 5 and 6:
1. Knowledgeable (5:12)
2. Problem-solver (5:12)
3. Distinguished (6:3)
4. Faithful (6:4)
5. Blameless (6:22)

Michele Morin link

9/13/2022 12:09:25 pm

What grace that God includes pagan kings in the out working of his redemptive plans!

9/13/2022 12:13:43 pm

Yes, Michele, I love how God opened the eyes of all three of these kings to see His goodness and ultimate authority through Daniel's faithful example!

I love ♥️ these two declarations from “King Nebuchadnezzar to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth…” Daniel 4:1

“It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God [El Elyon] has done for me. How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion endures from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:2-3

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to Heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored Him who lives forever, for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of Heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” Daniel 4:34-35

And this declaration from King Darius “…to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: ‘Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring forever; His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and His dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; He works signs and wonders in Heaven and on earth…” Daniel 6:25-27

Paula Short link

9/13/2022 10:04:48 pm

Patsy, this is such a treasure of a message today. I pray we always strive to model Jesus’ influence for others.
Thank you a for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.

9/15/2022 12:55:14 pm

Absolutely, Paula!

As I was reading further in the book of Daniel today, these two verses caught my attention:

"...but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action." Daniel 11:32b

"And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12:3

There is a lot in Daniel to take in and try to comprehend. But not all things are for us to understand. If we understood and knew all things, where would the need for faith be?

Faith tells me:
👉🏼 I “shall be delivered” (12:1).
👉🏼 My name “shall be found written in the book” (12:1).
👉🏼 If I “sleep in the dust of the earth [I] shall awake…to everlasting life” (12:2).
👉🏼 If I am wise I “shall shine like the brightness of the sky above” (12:3).
👉🏼 If I “turn many to righteousness, [I will shine] like the stars forever and ever” (12:4).

The book of Daniel may be difficult for us to understand, but faith in Jesus Christ is simple enough for a child to understand. I choose faith to be delivered and to find my name written in the Book of Life.