Every November, The Economist publishes its “The World Ahead” issue, and alongside its editors, fortune tellers, analysts, and authors of books about future wars try to read what is coming. Meanwhile, tomorrow often does whatever it wants: one mistake, one illness, or one fire is enough to turn life upside down. This observation opens a sermon about King Nebuchadnezzar, his troubling dream, and Daniel, who faces a death sentence (Dan 2). When everything is falling apart, Daniel acts and prays, because he knows that God changes times and seasons, sets up kings and removes them. Listen if you want to see who holds your future in his hands when you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- How did Daniel react to the death sentence issued against all the wise men, and what does that mean for you?
- What does Daniel's prayer in verses 20-23 say about God, and why did he pray it before his situation was resolved?
- According to the sermon, what does the stone striking the statue symbolize, and why is it more important than the kingdoms of the statue themselves?
- How do you understand the sentence: "It doesn't matter who dreams of power. What matters is who knows those dreams and who is almighty"?
- In a difficult situation, where do you tend to rely only on yourself, and where do you tend to throw up your hands? What would it mean both to act and to trust?
- What uncertainty troubles you most this week, and what can you give to God in prayer?
