Until You Acknowledge

As the king [ Nebuchadnezzar] was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. (Daniel 4:29–33, NIV 1984).

My Musings – This is the fulfillment of another dream that Nebuchadnezzar had, and that Daniel interpreted. “Daniel answered, ‘My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.'” (Daniel 4:19, 27–28, NIV 1984).

But the king did not accept Daniel’s advice. “He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.” (Daniel 4:33, NIV 1984). A humiliating turn of events for someone who lacked humility. Who took credit for the successes of his kingdom without giving God His due.

Ans so it remained until he acknowledged God was sovereign over his kingdom, able give and take away to whomever He pleases. “At the end of [the seven times], I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. 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, NIV 1984).

My Advice – Pride was the first sin, and it led to Lucifer’s (Satan’s) downfall. Without that sin, there would have been no sin in the garden. No being beguiled by the serpent. Now we must be on guard against it, because it can be insidious, developing so gradually that it becomes well established before it becomes apparent. Then comes the fall. For, “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, NIV 1984).

There is an antidote for pride. For while “God opposes the proud [He] gives grace to the humble. Submit [ourselves], then, to God. Humble [ourselves] before the Lord, and he will lift [us] up.” (James 4:6-7a, :9-10, NIV 1984). We must not be like Nebuchadnezzar, who did not “accept [Daniel’s advice]” We can be like Christ, who was “gentle and humble in heart, and [we] will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NIV 1984). Or we can be like Satan. Corrupted with pride and “[driven] in disgrace from the mount of God.” (Ezekiel 28:16, NIV 1984).