UBF Daily Bread

UNTIL YOU ACKNOWLEDGE GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

Passage: Daniel 4:28~37

Key verse: 34

The Dream Is Fulfilled

²⁸All this happened^(A) to King Nebuchadnezzar. ²⁹Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, ³⁰he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory^(B) of my majesty?”^(C)

³¹Even 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.^(D) ³²You 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.”^(E)

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

³⁴At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity^(H) was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.^(I)

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom^(J) endures from generation to generation.^(K)
³⁵All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.^(L)
He does as he pleases^(M)
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back^(N) his hand^(O)
    or say to him: “What have you done?”^(P)

³⁶At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom.^(Q) My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. ³⁷Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt^(R) and glorify^(S) the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.^(T) And those who walk in pride^(U) he is able to humble.^(V)

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1. The proud king humbled (28-33)

Nebuchadnezzar became very proud. When he boasted of his power and glory, his dream was fulfilled exactly. He became a madman. He was driven away from people to eat grass like an animal for seven years--until he acknowledged that God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men. Many people are under psychiatric treatment today because of pride which has destroyed spiritual order in their lives. Nebuchadnezzar would not recover until he became humble.

2. I raised my eyes toward heaven (34-37)

The king confessed, 'When I raised my eyes toward heaven, my sanity was restored.' He praised the God of heaven and acknowledged that everything he does is right. When he humbled himself, his throne was restored, and he became greater than before. He learned that God is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Prayer: Lord, give me a humble heart and a learning mind. Help me to live for your glory.

One Word: God humbles the proud