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." 

Comfort Food- OT

Do you have favorite passages or books of the Bible? I've noticed that mine are a rather good picture of who I am and how I see God. They are also the ones I turn to when I need a little encouragement or comfort from the Lord. Here are of some of mine and the reasons why. Today we will look at the Old Testament.

Old Testament

Job 38-41 These chapters in Job are where God is talking to Job and his companions. I love to see the way in which God is describing Himself and His creation. He is so powerful and wise! I read this when I need a reminder of how mighty my God is or when I think I might be getting a little to big for my own britches and need to be humbled. (And by the way, I don't think the Leviathan is a crocodile! Chapter 41)

Ecclesiastes Not a typical favorite, but still, I am comforted by this book. I have to admit I'm a bit of what my husband calls a pessimist and what I call a realist. Either way, this book fits right in. There are times in life when everything seems “futile and a pursuit of the wind” which is stated all throughout Ecclesiastes. These are the times, when I want to just know what the point of it all is, I find myself needing to turn to the last two verses in the book. “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecc. 12:13-14) I just love that.

Daniel 4 This is when King Nebuchadnezzar became very prideful and the Lord humbled him to the point of the king thinking he was an animal. He actually grazed with the cattle eating grass for years until his hair was so matted it looked like feathers and his nails became like bird's claws. After much time he said his sanity was restored to him when he looked up to heaven and praised the Most High. Nebuchadnezzar then sent a letter around the world in every language telling everyone of how he was humbled. He said, “I am pleased to tell you about the miracles and the wonders the Most High God has done for me.” (v. 2) What a wonderful reminder to tell people what the Most High has done for me, no matter how I have to expose my own weaknesses or admit where I've been.

These are a few passages which come to me often. Do you have some as well?
Tomorrow we will look at ones in the New Testament