Saturday, October 24, 2009

NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S PRIDE

PRIDE BUSTERS 

God gave Nebuchadnezzar, 
the king of Babylon a fearful dream.

"I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me.
Then the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners came in and I related the dream to them, but they could not make its interpretation known to me. But finally Daniel came in before me..."

Daniel 4:4-8 NASB


Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

"this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king; that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whom,ever He wishes. And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules. Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity."

Daniel 4:24-27 NASB

If you exalt yourself, you will be abased, and if you humble yourself, you shall be exalted. 

"Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon.

The king reflected and said,
'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'

"While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.'"

Daniel 4:29-32 NASB


Driven out from hanging gardens of the palace to the cattle pasture, the mighty king spent 7 years discovering GOD, the true ruler of the heavens and earth.

"But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason 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 endures from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, What have You done?'

"At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out ; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me."

Daniel 4:34-36 NASB

Nebuchadnezzar looked up to heaven and praised the Most High God. 

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride."

Daniel 4:37 NASB


Leaders who walk in PRIDE will be brought down by God.  Those who are HUMBLE will be lifted up.  Are you a leader?