This week I was reading in Daniel. I got into Chapter two and was immediately smitten with the prophetic context. I also noticed a lesson on economics, politics, and many other sub-points which will keep me busy for a few weeks with lessons to glean out of it.
One lesson in particular, the dream that good ol "Neb" had..the image had a head of Gold.
God had specifically placed Nebuchadnezzar in charge. Daniel called him a "king of kings." He was given his power directly from God. He didn't answer to people. He Answered to God.
In the very next Chapter, Neb puts up an image of GOLD and orders national worship. Now, where did he get the idea to build an image of gold?
Then I got to thinking of the recent blessings that God has bestowed (KJV word) on our church. Not even two years ago, our church was dwindled down to twenty people. They were exhausted from carrying the financial load of our building in bad repair. Shortly after my near death during surgery, our building caught fire. I was sure that my sorry excuse (in my eyes) of a pastorate was over. Then, God put me back in the hospital for another week as I was near to a heart attack.
I have always heard that the three of the 4 worst things a Church can endure is a split (done that) a building program, a fire/flood and a scandal. Thankfully, we have avoided a scandal. However, we were anemic already by morale standards. We honestly didn't expect to make it through a building program after the fire, after a split. We were all frustrated. Then, God brought a Christian Contractor to us to help us in the erecting of our building...and most importantly, building our church back together.
As the building was being built, I began looking for another place to be in the ministry. I began looking for anything and anywhere. I forced myself to work a Full Time Job to make up for the lack of funds needed to complete the building. My goal was to get out of dodge with the only thing I had left...my pride.
I remember the Monday AM like it was yesterday. I went in to work an overtime shift perfectly healthy. Within two hours, I was begging for mercy. I was struck down with a super trifecta infection. Staff, strep, and cellulitis. I was hospitalized for a month and was Four days from my leg being amputated. I was a complete wreck. I wanted out. I wanted my life to end. I was in bad shape. I remember being in such depression that I asked for Mental health to put me on a suicide watch. I was flat on my back, in complete pain, and NO signs of improvement.
God took me to a place where I had only ONE solution....Patience. God left me with nothing but my pride....and I refused to wait patiently on Him.
As I yielded myself to the Lord fully in that hospital bed, I began to heal. I began to regain strength. The medicine FINALLY began to fight the infection. The pain subsided.
The building was completed in Oct. We began to "work out the kinks" of the new building and getting our church family all on the same page.
God removed a few more members of the church...but then allowed us to unite as a family. God has continued to bless us and has added to our church attendance and faithfulness. God has been so good to us.
Recently, I was able to fill in for a pastor who was on vacation. I was talking to one of the men of that church and told him they need to work on getting some more people in the church...more men...for families.
My intention was not to be condescending....however, that is exactly how it came out.....PROUD....SELF GLORIFYING.
Neb was that head of gold. "The best"....an air of pride. He was top dog.
It went straight to his heart. A heart of pride. He failed to give God the Glory.
Let it be a reminder to all of us....what God does or doesn't do.....it is all for his glory and praise.
God ended up taking away Neb's reasoning. The simple fact is, GOD DESERVES THE GLORY. We need to be humble....or we will be humbled.
