May 12, 2022
You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay. And broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:34-35
The familiar metal man image of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represented his kingdom, Babylon, and successive kingdoms until the end of earth’s history. But this historically accurate lineup of kingdoms could have been shown to the king in countless other ways. Why in the form of a single man?
The infinite wisdom of God is displaying His power to deal simultaneously with entire kingdoms and with individuals. Each of the kingdoms that were represented in the image of the man was known to, as a nation, reject the God of Heaven—yet we are shown that, in the end, there will be citizens of heaven from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues (Revelation 7:9).
The stone that struck the image in King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream symbolized none other than Jesus Himself, returning to bring this fallen earth’s history to a close. Jesus said to the chief priests and scribes, “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken, but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:44, Luke 20:18)
A genuine encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ can break us, but OH! how much better to fall upon Him and be broken than to ultimately be ground to powder. The one who falls onto Jesus will experience the Master Builder doing what only He can do: the divine work of recreating us, from the inside out, with the goal of restoring His image in each of us.
When Peter obeyed Jesus’ command to “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4), the great number of fish caught revealed to Peter in a new and startling way the pure divinity and power of Jesus! The contrast with his own character was painful for him, and in that moment he cried out, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (v.8)—yet he clung to Jesus around His knees. Peter’s recognition of his true condition brought him to a breaking point and he clung to Jesus!
Being broken means that your “kingdoms” are falling. This is a good thing! His Holy Spirit will be the wind [that] carries them away so that no trace of them [is] found. The Lord wants to build His kingdom in you and me.
Earthly kingdoms are made up of many individuals, each of which is precious in the sight of the Lord. God is saving people individually, and He wants to bless others through you to enlarge His kingdom.
Beloved, allow yourself to be broken. Your difficult circumstances will usher in a fresh, clear discernment of the will and purpose of the divine mind of Jesus. At this very point, you will be the most effective tool in His gentle hand as you cling to Him and hear Him say, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” (Luke 5:10)