Read

Daniel 4:28-33

²⁸“But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. ²⁹Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. ³⁰As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’

³¹“While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. ³²You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’

³³“That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws.

Reflect

British scholar and novelist, C. S. Lewis once said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.”

That’s exactly what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. He was so full of pride that he missed an opportunity to serve God. Daniel pleaded with the king to change his ways and God gave him twelve months to do it. Unfortunately, the king was so full of pride that he didn’t repent, so, the dream was fulfilled, just like God promised!

That reminds me of another C.S. Lewis quote, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘All right, then, have it your way.’”

Respond

1. How did God show his grace to King Nebuchadnezzar?
2. What important lesson about God’s character can we learn from our verses today?
3. Which of C.S. Lewis’ two people are you?

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