Reading Plan:
Daniel 4


Our Thoughts:
Have you ever wondered why you think certain thoughts? Recently I began to pay close attention to my thoughts and noticed a pattern. When I was in a group setting where it wasn’t necessary for me to speak, I wouldn’t speak up regardless of whether I felt led to or not. I would have a thought and would think about sharing it, but I would always stop myself by thinking, “Don’t say that. No one really cares what you think anyway!” So, I began to ask myself why? Why did I think this way? Why didn’t I just say what was on my mind? God began to take me back to specific moments growing up and throughout my life when I would begin to speak but someone would interrupt or cut me off. Over time, that equated in my mind to the belief that my words don’t really matter to people, and I shut down. Why do I share all of this? Because I believe that one of the lies we easily buy into is that our testimonies don’t matter, therefore we don’t need to share them. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Scripture tells us in Revelation 12:11, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Our key to overcoming Satan’s attacks on our lives is first and foremost the assurance of our salvation offered through the blood of Jesus, but who would have thought that our testimonies held so much power?

In Daniel 4, we find one of the most powerful testimonies in Scripture. Have you ever known of a king who was driven to such insanity that he lived among wild animals and ate only grass, and who was later restored to his palace with more power and influence than before? That is a miracle from God. We are never more impressed with Babylon’s king than when he was least impressed with himself. After reading King Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony, it’s hard to imagine having much in common with him, but with closer examination, I believe what's beneath the surface reveals several similarities. First of all, God has also intervened in our lives and given us a story of our own to share. Chapter 4 begins clearly with Nebuchadnezzar excited and eager to share what God had done for him in hopes that everyone who heard would prosper greatly. I wonder if his restoration would have been as great if he had kept his testimony to himself? Would he have benefited to the fullest extent and experienced the comeback that he did if he never acknowledged the powerful hand of God in his life? There is a testimony of God’s goodness found in each one of us, but are we as eager and excited to share it as we should be? I think it’s worth remembering that our testimony is a gift from God, and what we do with our testimony is our gift back to God.

How willing are you to share what God has done in your life? We are often tempted not to share our story for fear of what others may think, but what should motivate us is a desire for the other person to think highly of God - not ourselves. That kind of vulnerability will always come with the risk of someone thinking lowly of us, but that risk is worth the power our testimony has to overcome the plan of our enemy.


More Questions:
1. How have you possibly robbed God of the glory he deserves by not sharing what he has done in your life?
2. Can you recall someone’s testimony that made an impact on your life?


Prayer:
Lord, I pray I am never hesitant to share how you have worked in my life. Give me the courage and boldness I need to speak up and share what you have done when you lead me to. Thank you for your incredible power and grace at work in my life.



Author: Angie Gates