LORD’S DAY, APRIL 8
Daniel 2:1-3
Psalm 81:10

“… open thy mouth wide,
and I will fill it.”

WORLDLY WISDOM DOES NOT MEET HEART NEEDS

In 602 BC King Nebuchadnezzar had dreams which troubled him so greatly that he could not sleep. His heaven-sent insomnia caused him to investigate his court. He called before him those whom he expected could help him. “Magicians” were involved in religious ritual. “Astrologers” may have been fortune tellers. “Sorcerers” could refer to those who dealt with magic potions for spells and charms. The “Chaldeans” were a special class of wise men or priests.

The Babylonian astrologers kept very careful records of the movements of the planets and comets, and of the phases of the moon. These records were for the purpose of determining the influences these “gods” might exert upon men and nations. A Babylonian astronomer named Kidinnu (c. 390 BC) made some measurements that were more accurate than any known even in the nineteenth century AD!

This was the calibre of men Nebuchadnezzar had. Is not God showing us in a graphic way that input from the wisest of men is utterly insufficient to solve the most basic spiritual problems and needs of the human heart? In company of dignitaries it is easy to feel inferior, insignificant and ineffective. What would have happened to Naaman if his servant girl had felt that way (2 Kings 5:1-3; Luke 4:27)?

It has been estimated that the average person speaks 30,000 words a day. But how many of these do we speak in loving proclamation of God’s truth? Or do we struggle with the fear of being considered out-of-date, trivial, or stupid? We often resort to making excuses like Moses who said he was not eloquent. But God promised to use him. He promised the same for the apostles (Luke 21:15). We have the same God they did!

THOUGHT: God specializes in things thought impossible. He will do for me what no other power can do.
PRAYER: Enlighten my mind; encourage my heart; open my mouth, O God!