Nebuchadnezzar Restored

                                                                     Daniel 4:34-37

 

March 18, 2024

 

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to 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,
And he does according to his will among the host of heaven  and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

At the same time, my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.  Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

This morning was a cloudy day It was early morning and Jan and I once more were amazed at the Majesty of our God as the beauty of the sunrise.  Jan was overcome with how God had blessed us to have such a view of His handwork.  

I asked her if she could go back in her mind to a time when a young couple was living in a 12X60 trailer in Oden, Texas, on 5.5 acres.  And I ask, did you dream of someday living in a home like this with the resources God has provided?  Her answer was no.

I went on to say that we never planned on this, but we did plan on being used by God in our understanding of a servant to our Master relationship.  We planned to keep the very nice home we lived in, in Spring, Texas, and go to volunteer at the Billy Graham Training Center, The Cove, in Asheville, NC.  Did I say that was our plan, but it was not God’s?

A friend whom I had gone to High School with and had not seen for 40 years worked for a very large oil company as a Vice President, and I called on him to try to get more of their business.  He invited Jan and me to come to his open house, where he said I would see many people from our time in Corpus Christi.  And that was all God’s doing; the call did not get me more business, but it did change our plans to God’s.  It reminded me once more that my ways or not His way, and that His thoughts are higher than mine by billions.

As His servants, we have been provided a beautiful home, resources, friends, and neighbors we love, but the greatest gift is a personal relationship with Jesus. 

When we lived in Spring, Texas, for a period, I became proud of all that I had accomplished. I did not have to eat grass like the king, but I came to a very clear understanding, like Nebuchadnezzar, of this truth.

“. . . 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, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”  Let me close with this: God loves you, and He desires that you know His Son, not just about Him, but seek Him, for He is not far from you.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

Note: Few men can acquire the power and wealth of Nebuchadnezzar, and not become full of themselves.  Power and wealth often bring about pride, and that puts a man in the camp with the enemy.