A Bible Devotion

DANIEL 4:26 NIV 26 . . . your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.

King Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most powerful rulers in the history of mankind. He learned a great lesson which we should never forget. Wise people learn from the mistakes of others.

DANIEL 4:29-37 NIV 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 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?" 31 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. 32 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." 33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. 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. 34 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. 35 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?" 36 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. 37 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.

What was King Nebuchadnezzar's problem?

Pride! He thought he was a self-made man. He thought the reason he was exalted, rich, and powerful was because he was better than others.

He thought he deserved what he had because he had done it himself. He failed to credit God with giving him the ability and opportunity he enjoyed. He failed to understand that all he had and all he could do were the result of what God provided. But he learned. And you will also learn.

You can choose the hard way or the easy way, but this is a lesson you will also learn. For that is a main purpose of life on earth: learning. And this is one of the most important things you need to learn.

You may think you don't have a problem with pride, but if you think you can make it without God, then you do. So if you ignore God or neglect God, you have a problem with pride. The truth is you could not even exist without God.

We need to understand that the God of Heaven rules. That does not mean God is micro-managing every action on earth, for He has given us a free will to choose what we will each do. However, God has set certain boundaries, and He is in control of the overall plan.

It is a mistake to think that God is responsible for every evil act happening on earth, as if God were behind all the decisions to murder, rape, and steal. All those evil decisions are made by humans influenced by the devil, not God. So while we cannot blame God for the evil happening on earth, He still retains overall control of the events unfolding throughout history.

Let's be wise and never forget the last word of Nebuchadnezzar which summarizes what he learned:

DANIEL 4:37 NIV 37 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.

SAY THIS: I will be wise and learn from Nebuchadnezzar's mistake.