SCRIPTURE: 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. Daniel 4:37 ESV
THOUGHT: A few years ago, we watched The Crown, a series based on the life of Queen Elizabeth. Like King Nebuchadnezzar, Elizabeth had titles, wealth and a lot of adoration—things we commoners wrestle for in our day-to-day lives. We spend our energy achieving that next title or raise, that next moment of glory. Only when we get there, it’s not as fantastic as we imagine. The crowd always thins, the accomplishment tarnishes in the gritty toil of newer, higher stakes. Suddenly, at the top of some accomplishment, we find ourselves humbled by the vastness of God.
Royals and dictators and presidents and moguls get reality checks too, regardless of the authority and honor afforded them. Daniel delivers bad news to the proud King Nebuchadnezzar, “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 (v. 25).” Nebuchadnezzar finds himself eating grass in the field like a cow for seven years. There he gets clarity and perspective — he is but a commoner in another great kingdom; a human who, in the end, needs to accede power and glory to another far higher and holier. And so the king admits of God, everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. It’s a good thing to remember given our own cultural moment.
PRAYER: Oh God, thank you that we have a record of these words from a powerful king’s lips. I echo them in gratitude for your sovereignty: everything you do is right and all your ways are just. Those who walk in pride you are able to humble.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
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