It was last year in Norway when I preached a message series titled Thy Kingdom Come. While preparing the sermon I thought about how, in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the kingdom of gold gave way to silver, then to bronze, and finally to iron (Dan. 2:31–33). Yet in the end, it was not metal that prevailed, but a stone.

The quiet meekness of a stone struck and destroyed the entire colossus (Dan. 2:34–35). Did not the Lord say, “The meek shall inherit the earth” (Mat. 5:5)? And is it not written that “the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner” (Psa. 118:22; Mat. 21:42)?

As I was completing the first volume of Notes on Daniel, I wrote down the following words of the song. Later, in September 2025, I asked Bro. Remi Engesvik if he could give them a voice in song. Over time, I forgot about it — until last evening, when my thoughts were suddenly drawn back to the song and to Bro. Remi. Praise the Lord, today he sent me the song!

My heartfelt thanks to Remi and Ania Engesvik for their work in bringing this blessing to our ears.

A C Phiri

From the Promised Land to Babylon,
Exile breathed its shameful song.
Tempting dainties laid in spread
Yet faith refused the trade for bread.

Refrain

The Stone shall strike, the proud shall fall,
A kingdom rises over all.
The fire refines, the faithful stay
God’s Word endures when thrones decay.

Lowly ones stood set apart,
God unveiled His sovereign art.
To the king, a dream was shown:
Gold would fall to clay and stone.

The meekness of a Stone prevailed,
Empires cracked, their glory failed.
On Truth’s firm Rock the faithful stood
Not for reward, but for the good.

“Our God will save us from the flame”
“But if not, We still believe” they proclaimed.
Bound and cast, yet undismayed
The Fourth appeared within the blaze.

Nebuchadnezzar bowed in awe,
Seven times his pride was purged.
“You are the Most High,” he cried,
“There is none like You,” he testified.

Weighed and found wanting, man was told,
Oh, that I could be empty, yet filled with Your will
To You I surrender my all
May Your kingdom reign in my heart

Lyrics (PDF)  The Stone Shall Strike