"And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?"
Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and first he seeks the wise men of Babylon the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers to have them interpret his dream. None of them can. That is when he calls for Daniel who Nebuchadnezzars says has the spirit of the holy gods. What Daniel has to tell him isn't want he would want to hear. The king will fall and go into madness. It will be seven years until he knows "that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will."
But, this doesn't have to be. Daniel tells him to repent.
"Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity." (Daniel 4:27)
The king doesn't repent and the Lord even gives him twelve months to choose. Nebuchadnezzar instead boasts of the kingdom he has built. A voice from heaven tells him the kingdom is departed from him. Nebuchadnezzar then goes mad. I see this as a merciful God giving us time to repent. For often the penalty of our sins do not fall upon us until we glory in them. I feel bad for Nebuchadnezzar, because of what could have been. After seven years Nebuchadnezzar regains his understanding and comes to himself. He knows God and praises and honors him. He knows that God has everlasting dominion and it is according to his will who rules the nations.
There is so much to learn from this. The key is to repent when your told to repent. Don't go seeking wisdom from men, seek the Lord. Worship the true and living God. Know that He rules the nations, we are only given what we deserve. Someday we will come to ourselves, with full understanding, and know that the Lord is King. None can ever escape it. That is just the beginning.
Day 1429
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