We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Nate Hemphill.
Bible Reading:
Daniel 4:31-37
“While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.
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;
all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 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.”
Word:
Extreme displays of arrogance are pretty universally repelling to everyone. Our jaws drop to the floor when we see a superstar blabber on about how great they are. But today’s scripture passage should serve as a good warning for anyone buying into the hype of self-worship.
The book of Daniel recounts how King Nebuchadnezzar, the warrior king of Babylon expands his kingdom, destroying King Solomon’s temple and taking captive the Israelite people. Daniel becomes a prominent figure and asset to Nebuchadnezzar when he alone is able to recount the King’s dreams without being told what they were, and then giving him the interpretation.
As Nebuchadnezzar continues to amass power, territory and riches, Daniel is once again called upon to interpret another dream. Daniel gives the king some bad news – that he will literally be driven to insanity; living like a wild animal “you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of Heaven.”
Even despite the warning, just one year later the King is walking on the roof of his royal palace, and thinking out loud, “Is not this the great Babylon that I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” No sooner had those words left his lips that Daniel’s interpreted dream come to fruition.
The King was struck with insanity for a seven month period. It wasn’t until the king acknowledged God’s sovereignty and power that he regained his sanity. This story should serve as a stern warning for anyone getting intoxicated off of drinking too much of their own Kool-Aid.
Our God is one who does not respect position, riches, power, fame or your Fran time. God is the only one worthy of our praise. Let’s be sure that we are properly acknowledging God in everything that we do and say and guard ourselves against the arrogance of worldly stuff that is here today and gone tomorrow.
Prayer:
God, I recognize that you are God and I am NOT! May the words that come out of my mouth lift you up and give you glory and not myself. Less of me and more of you in Jesus name, Amen.
Skillwork:
Are there any areas of growing pride in your life that you find yourself thinking like Nebuchadnezzar? Is it time for you to humble yourself before God and acknowledge him? Take these things to God in prayer and rid ourselves of these traps.
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