Series: Resilience  
Message: Trust  
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
 
Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 8.
 
Read: Daniel 2 - As you re-read for the final time this week in the ESV translation, what did you discover new about God’s character?

Reflect: When all else fails, the _________ steps in. The options are endless. Which seems to be the practice of our life. We explore so many options to step in and eventually we try God. Yet, Daniel 2 is not about everything else failing but about God with every empire, keenly engaged and part of their journey. Nudging them to respond and see who is ultimately in control of this universe. Their gods have no influence (Isaiah 46:6,7). Yet God will always keep us informed and is with us (Amos 3:7). As recorded in so many places (Exodus 23:4,5; Proverbs 24:17; 25:21; Luke 6:27), we love our enemies because they are children of God. The hope is that everyone will come to know God as their savior. This chapter presses us in that direction, as God wants to save Nebuchadnezzar, and even though he bows at the end to Daniel and offers sacrifices inappropriately, this is still valuable, as this is the journey for this king to eventually know and love God.  
 
Recalibrate:

1. Why is God so often the last resort?
2. What examples can you think of when we go to God only after we have exhausted ourselves?
3. We all connect to God in different ways and paces.  How can you be more graceful with your own walk and others?
4. What has God been nudging you lately about?

Respond: Pray for an open heart.
 
Research: Read one of the books or commentaries for this series on chapter 2.