TEXT: DANIEL 4:33 KJV
“The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.”
Discussion
Yesterday, we discussed God as the lifter of men. I think it is also important that we discuss the other side of the coin: God also has the capacity to lower any man to the deepest depth. God has an everlasting arm that can reach the highest heights and also descend to the lowest depths.
We shall consider King Nebuchadnezzar. He rose to the highest position as a king, but God taught him a lesson by humbling him. Nebuchadnezzar was brought from the throne into the wilderness. He lost his sanity, and God changed his mind to that of an animal. His high-profile friends were replaced by the beasts of the field. God turned his royal meals into grass. God also changed his physical appearance so that his hair grew like feathers and his nails like the claws of birds. He remained in this condition for seven years.
Nebuchadnezzar remained in this state of madness until he lifted his eyes to heaven, blessed the Most High, and praised and honoured Him. Then the everlasting arm of God picked him up from that lowly state and lifted him back to his throne.
Brethren, the story of this king was written for our learning. The Scripture says in Romans 15:4:
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
God brought Nebuchadnezzar down because he became proud and made himself equal with God, believing that he was the one responsible for all the wonders of his kingdom. At no point in life should we assume equality with God. God’s love gives us a Father-and-son relationship; in fact, Jesus even referred to us as friends (John 15:15). However, we must make no mistake about our position: we are not equal to God, nor are we supreme over Him.
Pharaoh also had his share. He sank in the Red Sea like a stone (Exodus 15:5). Pride is a lowerer of man. It can bring anyone from the highest position to the lowest pit. Pride is a killer.
We must give God all the glory for every victory, every success, and every breakthrough. In whatever situation we find ourselves, God’s name must be glorified in our lives. We must remember that He has the power to bring anyone down, no matter how high that person may be. It is wisdom to acknowledge that God is the One calling the shots in our lives.
Declaration:
I shall not take God’s glory at any time. God is the One calling the shots in my life, and His name alone is exalted in my life.
Light Up Christian Fellowship
