Daniel 4:36–37: “At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”

October 15th, 2021 by Pastor Ed in devotional

During the time of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar was the world’s most powerful dictator. As an unchallenged tyrant, anything he saw or wanted, he simply took. He was selfish, wicked, and egotistical. He didn’t have to answer to anyone, or so he thought. Everything went his way, or so it seemed. But there is a God in heaven who rules the universe and invades time and space at His own discretion. God is not arbitrary or whimsical in His decisions to intervene, but acts according to His foreordained plan, which was determined before the foundation of the earth.

So often we listen to people criticizing the Creator for what they interpret as His uncaring attitude, because He has failed to rescue them or someone they care about in the way they thought He should. What arrogant humans we are to believe that we are smart enough or even have enough information available to us to make such sweeping judgments against God. And what a merciful God He is that He doesn’t just send lightening bolts from heaven (as the ancients Greeks thought gods did) in judgment, leaving a smoking hole where we once stood. Nebuchadnezzar, after being humbled by the mighty hand of God, declared that God is just and that His “works are truth.” He finally acknowledged that God is ultimately in control and, thankfully, not puny human beings. Solomon said it this way: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Prov. 19:21, NIV).

There is an old kid’s story about a lion who was very proud and decided to take a walk one day to demonstrate his mastery over all the other creatures. He strutted his way through the jungle until he came across a bear. “Who is the king of the jungle, bear?” the lion asked. “Why of course you are, mighty lion,” said the bear. The lion went on until he found a tiger. “Who is the king of the jungle, tiger?” “Why you are, great lion.” On he walked until he found an elephant. “Who is the king of the jungle, fat elephant?” The elephant immediately grabbed the lion with his trunk, spun him around a few times, and slammed him to the ground. He then stepped on him a few times, picked him up, dunked him in the water, and threw him up against a tree. The lion staggered to his feet and said, “Look, just because you don’t know the answer is no reason to get so upset!”

“LORD, we readily acknowledge that You are God and we are not. Please lead us in Your paths for our lives this day.”