Daniel 4:22-23, 26 NLT:
That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth. “’Then the holy one said, “Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground… But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when (if) you have learned that heaven rules.
Leave the stump! King Nebuchadnezzar dreams again of a grand tree that oversaw everything. Then, a Holy One cuts the tree down but leaves the stump. Daniel comes to interpret the dream. He fears because the tree to be cut down represents the king. Compassionately, Daniel shows the mercy of God that’s available if Nebuchadnezzar will humble himself and repent. God is leaving the stump of hope in place, so that if the king repents, the roots will shoot down, and the tree will be restored.
Daniel is masterful at stating the gospel: Judgement is coming. You will be cut down unless you repent. God has extended His grace and mercy in the “stump” out of dry ground (Isaiah 53). God has kept a graced opportunity for you to be restored and have hope… if you repent.
In London during the 1830s, a preacher named Ceasar Milan attended a concert. A young lady sang beautifully to an awe-struck audience, and Milan approached her following the performance. “As I listened to you tonight, I thought how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefited if your talents were dedicated to Him.
You know, young lady, you are as much a sinner as any drunkard in the sight of God, but I’m glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you.” She was furious, stomped her feet, and walked away insulted. “I mean no offense. I pray that God’s Spirit will convict you.”
This is not my style of witnessing, but the lady went home and couldn’t sleep. She kept hearing his words and seeing his compassionate face. Finally, at two o’clock, she rose under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. With tears flooding down her face, she took a pencil and paper and wrote her salvation prayer:
Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Charlotte Elliot was saved by the simple gospel. She wrote the salvation anthem of the ages to which millions have responded and marked the moment of their salvation.
We must learn from Daniel and Milan. We must return to the simple gospel and become bold in leading people to Jesus. The gospel is the “power of God”; it brings salvation. Both Nebuchadnezzar and Charlotte Elliot were changed because of it. Do it! Share the gospel!
Prayer:
Holy Father, forgive us for losing our confidence in the power of the gospel. Fill us with Your Spirit, and empower us afresh to be Your witnesses. Burden us with the plight of all the precious souls we see every day. Give us boldness and the right spirit to share Your gospel with great urgency, in Jesus’ name!