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. Daniel 4:37 (NKJV)
Watching the news, flipping from channel to channel; I find myself wishing to know truth. The truth hidden behind all the rhetoric, the bias, and the bend for sensationalism. With a heavy heart, praying that God would guide my thoughts and that God would heal the divide within the nation. How can I help? What can I do to spread the gospel? How can I shine light into the darkness? Yet, it begins with holding fast to the truth that God IS. Faith begins there. God is truth! God is justice! God is in Control! God is the Great I AM!
When the nation of Judah was taken captive into Babylon, it was exactly what God had warned them would happen. They failed to listen or heed warning. They failed to seek God or honor Him. They had continued on in their rebellion against God and worshipping other gods of their own making. Yet, look what God did as a result of that captivity!! What an amazing God of Grace, Love, and Hope He is! Out of those captives, through the fervent prayer and faithfulness of 4 men; God lead King Nebuchadnezzar (King of the Babylonian Empire) to a saving knowledge of God. What an amazing and wondrous thing that was!
God revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar prophetic insights into the entire future of the Jewish nation in a dream early on. That dream included all the events leading up to Jesus entering into Jerusalem and being “bruised” by the cross. Then there is a pause of time until the end just before Christ’s return to establish His kingdom. Later, King Nebuchadnezzar watched the miraculous protection of the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Then, once more God sent a dream that Daniel interpreted for the King. That one concerned the King’s future and came as a warning for his pride. God would suddenly strike him with mental illness that would drive him into the woods as a beast for 7 years. Then as quickly as the illness came, he would recover. God did as He had proclaimed in this dream when King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride caused him to proclaim that his power was due to his own might. When his mental health was restored, this was the response of King Nebuchadnezzar
And at the end of the time[b] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
3All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?” Daniel 4: 34-35 (NKJV)
Go and read all of Daniel 1-4 to realize the fascinating story which history has proven to be true. Chapter 4 is a declaration by King Nebuchadnezzar to all the people of the earth. He declared the truth in a proclamation to be spread to “all the inhabitants of the earth”.
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:1-3
WHAT IS THIS AMAZING?
Babylon was considered the Greatest Empire ever. Here we see King Nebuchadnezzar having humbly bowed to God, the great I AM and recognizing that no power is given to man except that given by God. God’s ultimate plan had already been foretold by Jeremiah,
And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters; I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. Jeremiah 27:4-6
CONCLUSION:
1. God is in Control, so let your hearts be filled with peace, hope and joy.
2. God will fulfill His purpose, no matter what!
3. God is truth and we who seek truth can find it in Him through prayer and studying His word.
4. Whatever the outcome, no matter how horrific the storm; I will trust God with my life and our nation!
5. Prayer is crucial. Did you take time to be alone with Him today?
[bctt tweet=”The only place to really find truth and hope is God. Take time today to seek His truth in prayer.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Let us seek God above all else and trust Him with the rest![/tweetthis]
New King James Version(NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.