Learning the Hard Way
“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.” Daniel 4:37
I have always believed that God would move heaven and earth to reveal himself to anyone that does not have a relationship with Jesus. His love and mercy is just that powerful and incomprehensible.
In Daniel chapter 4, King Nebuchadnezzar (King“N”) had a dream that troubled him. He couldn’t sleep so he called for all of the wise men of Babylon to come to interpret the dream for him. The magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came in but could not tell the king what it meant. There was one more man to come before the King and his name was Daniel.
King “N” lived in his palace. He was prosperous, contented with his accomplishments and power. King “N” knew Daniel from a previous encounter where he interpreted another dream for him. In fact, the King said that Daniel had the spirit of the holy gods in him and placed him over all of the wise men of Babylon. He recognized Daniel’s God but also allowed the worship of other gods. King “N” would not proclaim that there was only one true God. Daniel’s
“You see, God doesn’t want anyone to perish. He calls everyone to repent of their sins, turn from their wicked ways and follow Jesus.”
Daniel heard the dream. He knew what it meant but was terrified to tell the king. Nevertheless, Daniel told King “N” that the disturbing dream was about him. The king would be stripped of his throne and driven from the land to live as an animal. He would no longer have the mind of a man but the mind of an animal for seven years. This dream would come to pass UNLESS …” he acknowledged that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.” (vs. 25)
God’s mercy to King “N” is astounding. God didn’t pass the swift judgment right away. In fact, God gave him twelve months, giving him every opportunity to proclaim God as THE Sovereign One yet the king continued in his pride. And, when he least expected, everything unfolded exactly as Daniel said.
After the seven years, King “N” raised his eyes toward heaven, his sanity was restored, and he praised and glorified the Most High God. Everything that had been stripped from the king was given back. King “N” learned his lesson the hard way. The sad thing is that it could have all been avoided had his heart not been ruled by his arrogance and pride. But, God in His love for the king, permitted those horrific seven years. Why? God allowed it to humble the king and to bring him to the realization of the power and sovereignty of the Almighty God.
You see, God doesn’t want anyone to perish. He calls everyone to repent of their sins, turn from their wicked ways and follow Jesus. God will not force anyone to pursue Jesus. However, out of God’s mercy and love, He will permit the hard lessons of life, whatever it takes, to get the attention of man.
In Luke 19:10, Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
You can run but you can’t hide from His love. Jesus will chase you down and fight until you are found in hopes to bring you to Him.
Jesus taught the disciples that their worth to God was more than the sparrows – and Jesus said that God does not forget the sparrow. Jesus then went on to say that God knows the number of hairs on each head.