OUR FATHER WHO REQUIRES SINCERE OBEDIENCE

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that had vexed him so he demanded an interpretation  of the dream from the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers who served in his court.

The astrologers asked the king to tell them what the dream was about so that they could render an interpretation.

The king, responding to the request for a description of his dream, refused to tell it to them because he reasoned that whatever power the astrologers were going to invoke to interprete the dream would necessarily have to have access to the dream itself and therefore, failure to correctly identify the dream would be proof that their claim to have the ability to interprete dreams was fraudulent and thus punishable by death.

The astrologers, taken aback by the demand, again asked for the dream and the king's response is captured this way in the book of Daniel chapter 2 verses 8 - 9;

Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided:

If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”

King Nebuchadnezzar, determined to get  a legitimate interpretation of his dream, put the entire court of astrologers, magicians, enchanters and sorcerers into a crisis by pronouncing a death sentence over them if they failed to tell him his dream and its meaning.

Sometimes, when asked to do something by the Lord that we are reluctant to undertake, we sometimes drag our feet hoping that the delay will allow time for the situation to change and we can be let of the hook.

We avoid fulfilling the obligation quickly so that we can potentially get out of needing to execute the requirements without directly refusing to do so.

However, if Nebudchanezzar was able to perceive the motives of his astrologers and pronounce judgement on them, then the Lord is certainly able to detect the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and knows whether our responses are sincere. He is able to judge us accordingly.

Let us be prompt in fulfilling our obligations to the Lord and avoid slow- walking any of the requirements laid upon us.

As Deutronomy chapter 23 verse 21 says;

If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.

Amen.