Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Giving Thanks
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Giving Thanks
Children usually approach their parents to request something. Less frequently, it is to thank their parents. And the same happens in our relationship with God. We normally approach Him with requests rather than to give thanks. But based on the infinite reasons we have to be thankful, prayers of thanksgiving should far outnumber our prayers of petition.
When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem for the first time, he appointed some of the Levites “to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel.” They were a permanent choir of leaders whose assignment was to offer thanks and praise to God. That choir of worship leaders were the forerunners of the choirs we have in our churches today—worship leaders who lead the congregation in songs of praise and thanksgiving.
How often do you dedicate a portion of your prayer life to giving thanks to God for the benefits and blessings of knowing Him? Begin the practice of allocating more time in prayer to giving thanks.
No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
Ambrose
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Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.
You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:
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King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
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Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
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Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
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Roman Empire
When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).
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Future European Coalition
This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).