At the end of twelve months [king Nebuchadnezzar] was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
Thought for Today
We discover a couple important things about God today. First, God is patient. After sending the dream and Daniel’s call to righteousness, God waits a year before bringing about the judgement He threatened. God’s warnings are always an act of mercy. He often warns us before His judgement comes. His purpose is to call us to repentance and change. He does not want to bring judgement or rebuke into our lives. He does it for our good. The second thing we discover is God’s warnings are serious. He does not threaten just to scare someone. He is serious about doing what needs to be done for our own good. He threatened to send Nebuchadnezzar to take His people into exile if they didn’t stop their idol worship. They didn’t take Him seriously and now they are living in Babylon. He told Nebuchadnezzar if he didn’t set aside his pride and acknowledge the greatness of God he would become an animal, a humble beast of the field. It wasn’t an idol threat. After giving him a year to humble himself, God brings the curse He promised when Nebuchadnezzar took credit for the kingdom God had set him over. When God alerts you to something that needs to change in your life, take Him seriously. He wants the best for you and loves you enough to do whatever it takes to draw you back to Him. As the author of Hebrews writes, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (12:6).
Prayer
Holy Spirit, help me to hear your voice in my life, especially when you call me to repentance. Help me to take your call to change seriously. Amen.
Devotional Quote
Rebuke without love is abuse. But, a love that would never rebuke? I dare to admit that that, too, would be a kind of abuse. ― Criss Jami, Healology
Quote of the Day
When all else is lost, the future still remains. — Christian Nestell Bovee
Daniel 4: Judgement
Daniel 4:29-33
At the end of twelve months [king Nebuchadnezzar] was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.
Thought for Today
We discover a couple important things about God today. First, God is patient. After sending the dream and Daniel’s call to righteousness, God waits a year before bringing about the judgement He threatened. God’s warnings are always an act of mercy. He often warns us before His judgement comes. His purpose is to call us to repentance and change. He does not want to bring judgement or rebuke into our lives. He does it for our good. The second thing we discover is God’s warnings are serious. He does not threaten just to scare someone. He is serious about doing what needs to be done for our own good. He threatened to send Nebuchadnezzar to take His people into exile if they didn’t stop their idol worship. They didn’t take Him seriously and now they are living in Babylon. He told Nebuchadnezzar if he didn’t set aside his pride and acknowledge the greatness of God he would become an animal, a humble beast of the field. It wasn’t an idol threat. After giving him a year to humble himself, God brings the curse He promised when Nebuchadnezzar took credit for the kingdom God had set him over. When God alerts you to something that needs to change in your life, take Him seriously. He wants the best for you and loves you enough to do whatever it takes to draw you back to Him. As the author of Hebrews writes, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (12:6).
Prayer
Holy Spirit, help me to hear your voice in my life, especially when you call me to repentance. Help me to take your call to change seriously. Amen.
Devotional Quote
Rebuke without love is abuse. But, a love that would never rebuke? I dare to admit that that, too, would be a kind of abuse. ― Criss Jami, Healology
Quote of the Day
When all else is lost, the future still remains. — Christian Nestell Bovee