What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word profound? My own experiences remind me of quips and quotes that resonate. A personal favorite quote is both profound and simple. “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

Profound. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning. Simple. Anyone can start today and make a new ending. That is the way I look at it. You may or may not see it the same. How information is received, processed and understood is going to vary from person to person. 

In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar is dreaming again. A disturbing dream he does not understand. Beginning in verse 4; “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.”

The king has this dream on the heels of praising Daniel’s God. Nebuchadnezzar saw the miracle of men surviving a fire with heat so intense, it consumed the Soldiers that threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the inferno. Nebuchadnezzar praises the God Daniel serves one moment and is ready to eliminate all of the wise men if they are unable to interpret his dream the next. Erratic behavior. Self-absorbed. Do it his way or it will cost you your life. Power driven and dangerous. And yet.

Nebuchadnezzar was in power only because God allowed it. In spite of how wonderful or detestable a leader is, the position is held only due to God allowing it. Daniel, or Belteshazzar, is called in by the king. The king whose lips declared God’s greatness a verse or two earlier, calls Daniel by the demon god he was named after. 

The Babylonian king wanted it both ways. He wanted the blessings of peace and of God’s power on his own terms. Daniel never wavers. Daniel was anything but self-seeking. He interprets the king's dream and his concern is for this man who removed him from his home and everything he knew.  In verse 19; “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!”

Daniel was dismayed because the interpretation was not favorable. There was not a blessing to convey, but the end of king Nebuchadnezzar’s reign and rule. 

^“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.” Verse 27

Read verses 20-26 to read the interpretation in its entirety. Between verses 1-27, king Nebuchadnezzar begins by praising God; he then sought  Daniel because the wise men could not interpret the dream. He acknowledges that Daniel has the spirit of the living gods. The living God gave Daniel wisdom. 

Wisdom. Strength. Integrity. Daniel possessed these strengths. God empowered him in both simple and profound ways. Daniel kept the simple daily practice of seeking and spending time with God. God gave Daniel profound wisdom and strength when he needed it. 

Zooming out and looking at Daniel chapter 4, I see in a new way, how our awesome God keeps it simple for His children. Day to day I simply walk hand in hand with my Father God and he accomplishes the profound in and through me. Sit in that for a moment. 

Ask. What is needed in the next five minutes, the next hour or later today. 

Listen. What do you sense the Holy Spirit expressing? 

Embrace. Absorb the truth, let it soak in and keep your spiritual eyes open. The profound is often quiet and seen only through the eyes of love. 

Scott Thomas on: Dec 14th, 2025 06:58am

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