In Daniel chapter four, Nebuchadnezzar has a second dream that proves to be much more unfortunate than the first. The first dream concerns kingdoms to come and things that wouldn’t really affect him. The second dream is God’s response to Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and His plan to humble him. The Scripture shows us again and again that God raises up and puts down whom He will, even as Daniel had said (Dan. 2:21). However, Nebuchadnezzar, in pride, concluded that he was the one who was the source of all his own success and blessing. He states, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my might power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:30). He boasted in himself as if he was the greatest king, and the One who is truly great proved him to be horribly wrong.
God humbles Nebuchadnezzar just as the dream and its interpretation had foretold, causing this “great” king to eat grass like an ox and to live like an animal for a period of seven years! (4:32-33). No longer was he walking on the rooftop boasting in his greatness, he was living out in the grass like a farm animal! When God returns his mind to him, he responds aright and, “blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever” (4:34).
God hates pride. Pride utterly denies God, the One who is the gracious source of all good in our lives! He is the One who grants us breath in our lungs, who gives us talents and abilities with which to serve Him, and the One who provides for our every need. We might steward some of what He’s given and increase it, but even the beginning potential lies with Him. Apart from His gracious gifts in our lives we would be nothing.
Nebuchadnezzar learned this the hard way. Truly, he was God’s servant, whom God had raised up for a period of time. His greatness was a gracious gift from God who was using him in the discipline of His people, Judah. Apart from God, Nebuchadnezzar would have no greatness or kingdom. It was the true, heavenly King, who allowed him to live and function as an earthly king.
At the end of all this, Nebuchadnezzar concluded, “All his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan. 4:37). Let us remember today that all the good in us comes from Him. He is the Source. As our Lord once said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). We’re more dependent on Him than we’ll ever know this side of glory. Let’s be extra careful to avoid taking credit for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do in and through our lives. Let us seek to obey His Word through James, the half-brother of our Lord, who says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (Jas. 4:10).
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