Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Sunday Review, November 2, Daniel 2-4 outline

In Daniel we are seeing the consequences of rejecting the Mosaic covenant at work, where Israel sees that their strength rises and falls in their obedience to the Almighty God. They had experienced this over and over again in the book of Judges, the books of Kings, and God's patience finally came to an end, though they were warned by a number of prophets.

Yet, even in the midst of the punishment, we see the remnant of those who are faithful, and how God is promising through the prophets that the covenants He promised to Abraham and David will be fulfilled.

He laid out the basic plan for Israel's future in Daniel 2, beginning with a basic dream of world kingdom successions that will eventually give way to His Kingdom. He revealed the enigmatic "Son of God" in the fiery furnace of chapter 3, and is now giving proud King Nebuchadnezzar another dream, one that may have possibly saved this despot from himself.

We're also learning that we can remember what is in Daniel by simple memory tricks, making titles that include words or phrases that will remind us of both the subject and the chapter location. In this way we become our own "cross-references", and can learn to pinpoint locations of subjects within the Bible quickly and accurately.

This really helps with the Holy Spirit "bringing to remembrance" the things taught us in the Word of God. You won't forget that Daniel and his friends stay true to the ONE God in chapter 1. That in 2, the king has a NEW dream. That THREE servants of God pass through a "fire-three" furnace in chapter 3, and now in chapter 4 we will find this proud king sniveling on all FOURS like a beast.

I call these "Memory Sparks" to help you remember the contents of these chapters. A true believer will diligently study the Word, study commentaries and sermons by learned teachers to enhance what they've read in God's word, which will increase the "memory pathways" in their brains, and permanently "etch" them into their "little gray cells".

And from those points, the Holy Spirit drops them into the "treasure chests" of our hearts, where we can pull them out and wear them as the jewels of application. These jewels of the Word will reflect from us, and the display of God's glory can be revealed to a lost and dying world.

For if the jewels are not applied, but simply buried in self-centered or self-righteous hearts, God's glory will not be displayed, and all our learning will be in vain. We do this by "watching in prayer" and "walking in wisdom", setting our affections on "things above", with a goal of "loving the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength."

And for believers, the "school of application" first begins in those oases God gave us which we call "churches". We can "practice His presence" with those who have the same desire to serve as we have, and then face the lost and dying world together as the Body of Christ, where Christ is the Head.

That's how it works, brothers and sisters. If we "walk in the Spirit", we will not fulfill the "lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). We will be so satisfied with the Living Water and the Bread of Life that we will see that nothing in this world can ever match the love of God.

And then, no matter what the world throws at us, we "reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18, KJV)

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36)

Amen!

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps:

Chapter 1: "Daniel is faithful to the ONE and ONLY God"

Chapter 2: "Daniel 2 interpret Nebuchadnezzar's NEW dream."

Chapter 3: THREE brave Jews in a fiery furnace: Shadrack, Meschach, and Abednego.

Chapter 4: "The King on all FOURS like a beast."