Don’t Be a Spectator (Part Two)

 

As we continue this week in Daniel chapter 4 we have seen how Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, has gone completely insane with a disease called Boanthropy (refer to last week). For seven years the king suffered at the hands of this disease due to his own pride and the idolatry that was prevalent in this ancient kingdom.

The part we wish to deal with today is how does the basic behaviour of Nebuchadnezzar compare to how we as people living in this day and age deal with God’s voice speaking to us. Nebuchadnezzar did not hear an audible voice, and only on very unique occasions did God ever speak to individuals directly. Often in those days God would use prophets such as Daniel to communicate His advice to people. The advice Daniel gave was an encouragement to Nebuchadnezzar to repent of his sins in verse 27; this was God’s voice through Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar.

In verse 34 it culminates with the beginning few words; “At the end of this time”. In other words, the king came to the end of himself. Before we can proceed to repentance we must understand where we are. Nebuchadnezzar realized that he had no where to look but up as in the next phrase he says: “I Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven”. When God speaks through the Bible, a sermon, a song or in a conversation; the process of change that begins will start upon our recognition of the hopeless or lost state we are in. Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes towards heaven and his sanity was restored. He began to glorify and honor God and recognized the very thing that had been holding him back seven years earlier from following God. The king had seen God work in many circumstances but had never wanted to admit that he had a need for the one true God. In the end of verse 34 he admitted that “God’s dominion is an eternal dominion and His kingdom was an enduring kingdom that would last throughout all generations”. Many kings and dictators have always seen themselves with the sense that their legacy will endure. In recent world history a number of them come to mind such as Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich; Josef Stalin and his successors during Russia’s experiment with communism and even more recently with Saddam Hussein. Nebuchadnezzar’s sin required him to accept that earthly kingdoms and power are temporary, but God is eternal and has purposes that benefit all of mankind, not just a chosen few.

As we look into the Bible this morning; two verses come to mind which reflect what you have just read and will support the theme of my message this morning.

1. Hebrews 1:1-3
How is God’s voice speaking to you?

2. James 4:14
What do you wish to accomplish in your lifetime?


By: Pastor David Jones