Mercy in the Midst of Warning

24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. 26 And as it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Daniel 4:24-27
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Mercy in the Midst of Warning
God sent Daniel to speak a hard truth to King Nebuchadnezzar, a warning of judgment. Yet the prophet’s message is not without hope. Daniel pleads with the king to repent, to show mercy, and to seek righteousness. God’s judgment is real, but so is His desire to show grace. How often do we resist God’s call to repentance? Like Nebuchadnezzar, we trust our own strength, power, or wisdom. But pride leads to a fall, and without repentance, judgment comes. Still, God calls us back, always with the hope of mercy. At the cross, the judgment we deserved was placed on Christ. There, God showed mercy to sinners like us. Daniel’s plea is ultimately God’s own call: “Repent, and live.” Our righteousness is not found in ourselves but in the One who was humbled for us. In Christ crucified, even the proudest heart can be made new. Thanks be to God!
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