In Daniel Chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a stone crushing a statue made of gold, silver, bronze, and iron. This stone, which was made out of nothing, completely shatters the statue. The king is frightened by what he sees and demands for his astrologers, magicians, and scribes to tell him the dream and interpret it. None are able to do so because only a man of God can do such a thing. At this point, Daniel, the man of God, shows his faith in the Living God by telling the king he will receive the meaning of the dream. So Daniel prays all night asking God to intervene. The next day he goes before King Nebuchadnezzar and says that the stone is the beginning stages for the kingdom of God that will ultimately destroy all other kingdoms in existence and that will come in the future. That stone is none other than Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:20 and 1 Peter 2) who proclaimed the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And then, through his sacrificial death and resurrection, inaugurated the kingdom of God which is advancing today all across the world. Daniel’s interpretation is a reminder to all of God’s people that nothing can stop the kingdom of God. Though it appears at different times that the kingdom of men, society, and Satan are ruling the day, because the news is so loud and in your face, be encouraged knowing God is still on the throne. In 2023, The Glory Project saw 245 new churches planted in Asia through local missionaries sharing the gospel. Such news is what God’s people must rejoice in and find courage to continue on. So today, praise God the Father for sending the stone Jesus Christ who will destroy all other kingdoms. Praise God His kingdom will endure. And pray for the church in Asia. Ask God to keep them safe, grant them guidance to move forward, and opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ because He is on the throne! Dr. Breckenridge Merkle 10/27/2023