Daniel 4:34-37
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
Daniel 4:34-37
I get it now, he seemed to say. It took this period of isolation from the trappings of Babylonian society, of living rough in the world rather than having absolutely everything handed to him all the time, for King Nebuchadnezzar to find God. He’d paid lip service to Daniel’s God already, recognizing that only Daniel’s God had the power and wisdom to solve his most puzzling problems.
But he had yet to acknowledge his sin, his complete obsession with self and the fact that only God could remove it from him. He had to lose himself completely, driven from society and living as a wild animal, in order to find himself. This is such a common theme in all of literature not just biblical or spiritual it’s almost too cliché to register. But the reason it’s a cliché is that it is absolutely, completely, fundamentally true. Period.
In fact, the only way anyone can really figure out who they are is to be willing to let go of who they think they should be usually based on who they think other people think they should be. We have to get rid of what doesn’t work in order to create a space for God to come in and show us the truth of who we are: beloved children of God, capable of love and creativity and beauty and self-sacrifice and service and joy. When we come to realize this how can we keep from proclaiming God as Nebuchadnezzar did?
We are told that Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven at that time, but I’m curious as to how many times he looked up to the sky during those seven time periods. Was his gaze different this time? Was he looking with purpose at this moment? Did God speak to his heart to get him to look up? The time had passed but his mind was gone during it.
Only at the end of the time did his senses return and he could comprehend where he was and what had happened. He looks up, his mind is cleared, and he proclaims “O dear Lord forgive me all at once.” That’s God’s timing. Exactly as He said it would occur.
Nebuchadnezzar also learned the exact lesson God told him he would and intended for him to learn. He learned that God can do everything He says He will. He can exalt and humble whomever He chooses. He is God and there is No other.
God is not vindictive and punitive out of spite. Nebuchadnezzar was warned this was coming for him and given an opportunity to correct his ways. He had a full year to get himself straightened out. But he only grew more arrogant. God didn’t punish him just to be mean but to save him. God did whatever He had to in order to change his life and to use that life for His purposes.
Nebuchadnezzar would NEVER be the same again. His change would be lifelong and color the rest of his reign. Which God graciously gave him. God raised him up again. Hecmoved on his counselors to bring him back in and put him back on the throne. I would not be surprised to know that the counselors were waiting for this very day and watching for it all along.
I would lay money on Daniel being among those who brought him back in. Daniel knew when the time would be completed. God is just as concerned with our lives. He wants to raise us up to stand for Him. He wants to use our lives for His plan too. He will do whatever it takes to bring us to that place. He is relentless. And it’s because He is relentless in His love for us. Look up and recognize Who is God and who is not.
Father thank You for this day and the amazing book of Daniel, where we can learn so much from the lessons about the dangers of human pride, the folly of a double-minded man, and that wisdom and understanding comes from You alone. Lord open the windows of heaven and pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord thank You for the reassuring knowledge that You are in control of every area of our lives. We can truly confess with our whole heart, through the words that Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed, "How great are Your signs and how mighty are Your wonders. Lord Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion is from generation to generation." Lord use my friend to be the light of Your love to all today. Be a blessing.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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