UBF Daily Bread

NOW I PRAISE THE KING OF HEAVEN

Passage: Daniel 4:28~37

Key verse: 37

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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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The king was driven away (28-33)

A year passed by after God's strong warning message; the king saw the glorious Babylon under his feet. He said, "Isn't this the great Babylon I have built by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" We should be very careful not to be proud after a great achievement by God's help. While the words were on his lips, a voice from heaven reminded him of God's decree in his dream. Immediately his royal authority was been taken from him. He had to live like a wild animal. Surely "pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18)

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

At the end of seven years he raised his eyes toward heaven. He humbly acknowledged the Most High as sovereign over all kingdoms on earth. Then the Most High returned his honor and splendor. God made him greater than before. Now, the king praised and exalted and glorified the King of heaven because He is the Sovereign over all the kingdoms. He gives them to anyone he wishes while he humbles those who walk in pride.

Prayer: Lord, save me from becoming proud. Help me exalt you only.

One Word: Praise God the sovereign Lord!