We remember the
story of Nebuchadnezzar’s great humiliation as recorded for us in the book of
Daniel. He had a dream that Daniel interpreted for him. The meaning of the
dream was that he would be given a heart of a beast and would be driven out of
the presence of men.
Within a year
of this dream, Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was lifted in pride and God fulfilled the
prophecy of his dream. We read, “That very hour the word was fulfilled
concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his
body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagle’s
feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.” (Daniel 4:33)
After a certain
period of time, his mind was restored to him. It was then that he declared, “…For
His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to
generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does
according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the
earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”
(Daniel 4:34-35)
Because of his
pride, Nebuchadnezzar endured great humility. However, from his experience he
learned a valuable lesson before it was eternally too late. That is, he learned
the greatness of God and the necessity to be humble before Him.
Sadly, there
are many who will learn this lesson after it is too late. The apostle Paul
wrote, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name
which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
From this we
acknowledge that we also must be humble before our God. James wrote, “But He
gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to
the humble.’” (James 4:6). Micah, the prophet, records three things the
Lord requires of us. He stated, “…to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)
We also learn
from king Nebuchadnezzar the need to give God the glory. He learned this after
God humbled him. However, Jesus teaches us the importance of giving glory to
God. He taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) The good works we
do are not to attract attention to ourselves, but unto God our heavenly Father.
May we learn
and apply this lesson to our everyday lives. That in all we do and say, our God
will be glorified.
God Bless each
of you,
Eric Hicks
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