Almost everyone can remember at least one bully from school—especially if they shoved you on the playground, teased people relentlessly, or threatened and manipulated others. But bullies aren’t found only in the schoolyard. Bullies exist in our families, in our workplaces, and in our communities. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef evaluates the wise response of Daniel to the bully Nebuchadnezzar.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to my devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading The Way.
[00:00:08] Bully Nebuchadnezzar by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:12] Almost everyone can remember at least one bully from school, especially if they shoved you on the playground
[00:00:18] or teased people relentlessly or threatened and manipulated others, but bullies aren't found only on the school yard.
[00:00:27] Bullys exist in our families, in our workplaces and in our communities.
[00:00:33] A bully is someone who desires to control and abuse others.
[00:00:38] Bully seek power by making others feel powerless. They find enjoyment and criticizing and ridiculing others.
[00:00:46] In the Book of Daniel, we meet a king who was the epitome of a bullying leader.
[00:00:51] King Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian Empire when as a young teen Daniel and his friends were captured and sent to study at the King's Palace.
[00:01:02] In Daniel chapter 2, we learned that King Nebuchadnezzar was so troubled by a dream that he planned to kill all his wise men, including Daniel and his friends, because they could not interpret it for him.
[00:01:15] As Daniel and his three friends faced execution, they prayed together throughout the night and sought God's divine intervention.
[00:01:23] Because God was on their side, Daniel was given the insight to interpret the dream.
[00:01:28] Daniel's next action gives us wisdom for dealing with bullies.
[00:01:33] Daniel first approached the matter carefully. He didn't confront the King directly until he understood the situation better.
[00:01:40] Daniel chapter 2 verse 14 tells us, when Ariak the commander of the King's guard had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon,
[00:01:50] Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.
[00:01:54] Daniel was not quick to fight back. He gathered information from Ariak and then approached the King.
[00:02:00] At this Daniel went to the King and asked for time so that he might interpret the dream for him.
[00:02:06] Let's pray together. God, we pray that as we have to deal with bullies in this life that we will come to you for help, not be quick to fight back.
[00:02:17] Help us to always come to you for discernment. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
[00:02:37] My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusse.
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