“You, O king, (Nebuchadnezzar) were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. 32 This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.” Daniel 2:31-34 NKJV
Everlasting God,
Daniel was taken to Babylon at about the same time as Ezekiel but with a different group. I wonder if they knew each other? Anyway it is an incredible story how Daniel saves all the astrologers and wise men from death. They cannot interpret the King’s dream because he wont tell them it. Daniel says he can’t either but he knows a God who can. And You gave him the same dream, that we read above, and what it meant.
The dream is a visions of ruling powers to come. And there is that little verse about feet of clay. Easily broken, damaged showing weakness. All that metal and strength above but a tiny weakness that made the image very vulnerable. Feet of clay? Not heard it said for a while. Perhaps we do not like to speak so personally about a persons character flaw or weakness.
We all have feet of clay as we are human and sin and make mistakes. We all have weaknesses! But Your Word reminds us to, “take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV. Not pleasure indulging our weakness but pleasure in being able to overcome them with You. Keep us looking to Your strength to lead us on.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Everlasting Lord<
For our close family. Your love showing the way.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Harvest season to bless others.
For our king and all those in authority and Parliament (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Royal family relationships.
For Ukraine. For Gaza, all the Middle East. End to the conflict and war and voices of peace.
For Myanmar and release from the oppressive military rule. Guard Your church.
For those who are living with flooding and removed from their homes across Europe.
For those who need help making decisions and who need strength to face today.
For us to know our own weaknesses and give thanks for Your strength and help.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 23rd September 2024
You may not know this hymn.
It was written in Broadford, Victoria, Australia on April 11, 1967. The author said in 1986: “The inspiration for the song came through seeing the beauty of the Australian night sky with the stars so clear – the thought from Psalm 8 coming to mind: ‘When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?’”
Many are the things I cannot understand,
All above me mystery I see;
But the gift most wonderful from God’s own hand
Surely is his gift of grace to me!
Higher than the stars that reach eternity,
Broader than the boundaries of endless space,
Is the boundless love of God that pardoned me;
O the wonder of his grace!
When I came to Jesus with my sin and shame
And to him confessed my deepest need,
When by faith I trusted fully in his name,
God’s rich grace was granted me indeed.
Passing understanding is his boundless love,
More than I can ever comprehend,
Jesus, in his mercy, left his throne above,
All to be my Saviour and my friend.
Lyrics Howard Davies