THE FULFILLMENT

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”

Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

Daniel 4:28-33

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In yesterday’s devotion, we found Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, receiving some harrowing news as Daniel interpreted the meaning of his dream, a revelation that carried the following prophecies:

1. Nebuchadnezzar would “driven away from people” where he would “live with the wild animals”, “eat grass like the ox”, and “be drenched with the dew of heaven”.

2. He would remain in that place for seven years (seven times) until the deposed king of Babylon would “acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to whoever He wishes.”

That’s a tough penalty but it is still sixty-three years less than the exile God sent His own people into for turning away from Him to worship false gods and idols.

Well, maybe Nebuchadnezzar might have felt differently about this interpretation than he did the first. Perhaps, he even hoped that maybe Daniel got lucky the first time and was wrong on this second occasion.

Maybe he felt these things but it wouldn’t matter what he felt for as we see today’s scripture passage open, we get this blunt proclamation:

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar.

You see, God will make good on everything He says He will do, even if it isn’t immediately for we know He always works in His perfect way and in His perfect time. We see just that happening as we look at the rest of our verses today:

Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”

Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. Daniel 4:29-33

Note it was a full year from the time that Daniel promised the Nebuchadnezzar that he was going to fall from power. You would think that such news would cause a man to humble himself but as we see in Nebuchadnezzar’s case, he was anything but. In fact, his attitude reflected the heart of a man who was only seeking to honor and glorify himself.

He gave himself all the credit for building the great empire of Babylon by his own “mighty power” and for the “glory of (his) majesty”.

Those self-serving, self-aggrandizing words were all God needed to hear for the scriptures tell us that no sooner had they rolled off Nebuchadnezzar’s lips, a voice called out from heaven declaring that the king’s “royal authority” had been “taken away” from him. The voice then confirmed all that the dream had revealed would happen to Nebuchadnezzar, a review of the judgment that befell him immediately after the voice ceased speaking.

God’s promise was fulfilled and Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from power, reduced to live among the animals for a very long time.

Friends, God’s word is speaking to us powerfully today on two fronts:

First, we had better never adopt an attitude that steals away the honor and glory from the Lord, the only One worthy of receiving any praise or adoration. We had better pay close attention to what happened to Nebuchadnezzar and know a like judgment could come our way if we decide to follow his lead.

Second, God always fulfills His promises and will do what He says He will do. We need to anchor ourselves in those promises as we seek to deal with the things life brings our way. Likewise, we need to swear off all the sinful behaviors He despises, knowing He will bring correction to anyone who willingly and willfully chooses to disobey His word, will, and way.

Just as He did with Nebuchadnezzar.

Amen

In Christ,

Mark
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