November 22, 2024
Daily Devotion:
"Humility in The Face of Divine Justice"
Daniel 4:37
New International Version
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to
humble.
In the eyes of the world, King Nebuchadnezzar had been a successful king. He built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon along with finishing the walls of Babylon and many temples throughout the city. But all of these achievements were nothing because his heart was far from God.
It had been a year since his dream. Maybe Nebuchadnezzar changed his ways for a bit. We don’t know. He was
comfortable, relaxed, and walking on his rooftop to admire his work. Notice the amount of times he uses the words “I” and “my” in verse 30. He failed to recognize that everything he had was a gift from God.
While these words were still on his lips, God spoke! He used the exact same words Daniel had – Nebuchadnezzar’s
kingdom would be taken from him. Immediately, his mind changed. He left the palace and lived like an animal for seven years.
Nebuchadnezzar, with his statue and pride, thought of himself as equal with God. But God humbled him until he would praise, exalt, and glorify Him.
The contrast between the attitude of King Nebuchadnezzar and King Jesus, found in Philippians, is stark.
Jesus, while entitled to everything, humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross. He did this in order to bring us life. This is the type of king worth following!
Thankfully, Nebuchadnezzar’s life was transformed during the seven years. He was even able to say that all God’s deeds are right and His ways just! When we become Christians, we are increasingly able to see more of ourselves, the world, and others as God sees them. We are freed from the bondage of self-seeking, prideful living. We are able to live our lives more concerned about what God thinks of us than what others do.
We should, as Daniel had been doing, work for the good of wherever we are placed, whether working in a job, at church, or at home. But it should all be done for the glory of God.
