Striving To Be Like King Nebuchadnezzar

Many of us know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel, and how King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonians sent them into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down and worship the 90 foot golden statue he made of himself. When seeing four men walking around in the fire and calling the three back out, the King showed respect and awe for the "Most High God" (Daniel 3:26), "the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego" (Daniel 3:28). However, this respect hadn't turned into his own personal faith - yet. So the Lord got his attention.

For now, I'd like to focus on verses 1 & 2 of chapter 4, but take some today to read all of Daniel 4:1-37. (It's one of my favorite chapters in the Old Testament because of the unique way God works to bring to Him the ones He desires.) "King Nebuchadnezzar, To those of every people, nation, and language, who live in all the earth: May your prosperity increase. I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and wonders the Most High God has done for me." Now, if you've read the rest of the chapter, you might wonder why the King doesn't say "what the Most High God has done to me" instead of "for me". Why? Because Nebuchadnezzar recognizes a principle the write of Hebrews shares with us; "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves..." Hebrews12:6, 10. Too often we become so focused on what has happened to us, we miss the blessing of what has happened for us.

King Nebuchadnezzar is willing to tell everyone what happened to him as well; all for the glory of God. He could have just told the world that he had been restored to power, that he had had a little illness, or even that he got a little too big for his britches, but that he now had it under control. But that's not what he did. The King humbled himself before all for the love and glory of The Most High King. Not only that, but he was pleased to tell all.

How often are we willing to lay our lives open before the masses to bring glory to God? We should, for we are here to glorify Him in everything. Do you love Him enough and your pride little enough to do so?

Jeremiah 13:16 "Give glory to the Lord your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the mountains at dusk. You wait for light, but He brings darkest gloom and makes thick darkness."