The Issue of Accountability. Part [6] 08/16/2024 (Morning thought)

Daniel 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

Here it is again, as king Nebuchadnezzar continues to flaunt his power and authority, taking credit for things which he should have been praising God for, and boasting about the status of his empire, even as he was warned against this course of action by the prophet Daniel. Again, God gave him time to correct course, but as is so often the case, God’s mercy and kindness is often interpreted as weakness in the minds of many, and before you know it, the human agent begins to take unwarranted liberties.

Therefore, Nebuchadnezzar became ripe for one of those unique intrusions, and judgment came to him in a form that would greatly humble him in the sight of his subjects. Again, God does not usually employ the use of force, but if He sees fit, He will, because He reserves that prerogative always.

Daniel 4:4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans and the soothsayers and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. 8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying;

Daniel 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

The Issue of Accountability. Part [5] 08/16/2024 (Evening thought)

Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.

As Herod was giving a political speech in the public square, receiving the praise, and worship of men which belongs to God alone, the angel came suddenly upon him and smote him on stage, in view of all who were praising and adoring him. God does not usually use force, but if folks push the envelope, He absolutely can and will, if He deems it necessary.

Again, we must reiterate that it’s not like God to use force when dealing with us as earthlings, because as the Bible says, He delights in mercy, and usually will allow our freedom of choice to work out its natural result on its own, whether it be good or evil. But every so often, God will give us a terrible reality check, so that those who might be thinking of doing wrong may think twice. The intrusions made are to warn others of making the same fatal mistake, and thus, He spares the many, by prosecuting the few.

Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

Acts 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!