Daniel 4:28-37 offers a strong reminder about how we should not put off until tomorrow what can be done today. This is particularly true when it comes to our sin and repenting.
In Daniel 4:30, the King is seen looking and bragging at his own majesty and all the he had done. He thought of himself as a great man. This scene comes one YEAR after Daniel counseled the King to humble himself and repent before God upon interpreting the King’s dream to him.
What does Jesus say about being great, “But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
Matthew 20:25-26, 28 ESV
We lower ourselves to exalt God 🙌🏻
The king was living opposite of this. And just as God promised, the king’s pride led to his humbling. The king went from thinking he was the greatest human (Dan. 4:30) to behaving and acting subhuman (Dan. 4:32-33).
But – this blow to the king seemingly changes his life. When Nebuchadnezzar recognized the TRUTH of who was truly powerful and in control – he lifted his eyes to heaven and his reason RETURNED to him (v. 34).
The first thing the king then does is bless God and exalt Him!
“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;”
Daniel 4:34 ESV
I know it’s not always easy but this example in Daniel reminded me this morning that while it’s not easy – we can have faith that what is happening now, in our lives and all around us, is working for the good of a much bigger picture. God is everlasting – this is His big, eternal picture that He is in control of.
Not only was Nebuchadnezzar’s reason returned to him but also his “majesty and splendor”, his “greatness” and his kingdom (v.36). I want to put an emphasis on the word “returned” here.
If something can be returned (by God), that means it can be taken away (by God) – because it ALL belongs to God…
And this is true of anything we possess on this earth: money, possessions, talent, family, friends. God is sovereign over all of these things. This means that even if we loose it all or it leaves us, we still have the HOPE of eternity. 🙌🏻
A perfect eternity with God that will not – cannot be taken away if we put our trust in Jesus. ❤️
Hold out your hands hands 🤚 ✋ in font of you – with palms lifted up. ⬆️
This is what we have to offer God… empty hands.
Everything in this world 🌍 is temporary.
Scholars don’t seem to agree on the matter of if Nebuchadnezzar became a true follower of God. Only God knows the heart of a person. But whether we meet this king in heaven one day or not – we can learn from his last words recorded in the book of Daniel.
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
Daniel 4:37 ESV
The Meek Momma 
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