Daniel 4.37 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.
Nebuchadnezzar truly was: all that, and a bag of chips. He was one of the greatest kings of
the earth. But like every other earthly king, Nebuchadnezzar had his limits; he
proved to be a man just like everybody else. But one thing Ol’ Neb did, was to
bow his heart in worship to 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.) Be careful what you ask God for…
God loves people. Even the worst of them. And God loved
Nebuchadnezzar. This pagan king was a terror and for many years he did just
about whatever he wanted. He invaded kingdoms and took people and possessions
for his own. He strutted about his palace one day and proclaimed: “Is not this the great Babylon I have built
as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
Be careful what you proclaim.
And Nebuchadnezzar was stricken with insanity for a
season. So stricken, that he crawled around naked on all fours as if he was a
beast. And there he remained until he did the best thing any person can do: “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.” Be careful what
you praise.
The Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity was restored and his view of
God was elevated.
I think that is what God desires of us – that our view of
Him be elevated. But I also think
that means our view of ourselves must be lessened. When I get into trouble is
when I think: I am all that and, a bag of
chips. When I get into trouble it’s because I tend to think I have made
myself into some figment of my own creating. Pride is pervasive. Be careful how
you see yourself.
One thing is for sure, and Nebuchadnezzar said it: “And those who walk in pride [God] is able to
humble.” God is able to humble those He loves. I think God loved His exiled
people, and God loved Nebuchadnezzar to the point that he, Nebuchadnezzar
became a benefactor to His (God’s) people. God never forgets His own. Be
careful in your calling.
Sometimes, (most of the time) I have trouble humbling
myself. But God is faithful and He knows how to get my attention, and to help
me to see my need. I am needy. I need God. Be careful how you think.
In salvation (a true and valid term) I am saved from myself, and saved into Him. God is the greatest Resource
known to man, but man chooses to be a resource unto himself. God knows how to
correct that. God loves people and works to get them to consider His ways above
their own. Be careful what you prize.
Father, You are
able to humble the proud. Some accept that as a good thing. Others require many
lessons. And some never get there. No one is immune to You although some think
they are. Thank You for what You are doing in my life and for what You are
bringing about in my view of myself; and You. Lord, keep me humble and use me
to bring about good in this world. Amen.
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