Here’s the thing about Nebuchadnezzar

In ancient Babylon, there was a King, Nebuchadnezzar. He had a dream and the only one who could interpret the dream was Daniel.

Daniel warned him:

‘O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.’

But Neb didn’t heed Daniel. So…

“All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?‘

Catch this now…

“While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you. . .”

God did what He said He was going to do if Nebuchadnezzer didn’t change. So we can trust God will do what He said He’s going to do.

But Nebuchadnezzer had time to repent, nothing happened to him, even while reflecting in his heart, thinking in his mind about his beauty and splendor reflected in Babylon.

But his sovereignty was ripped from him the MOMENT he spoke. He was driven from the palace and lived like an animal for seven years.

What lived in Neb’s heart never carried consequences until he gave it life by the spoken word. Our words have power. Our words give and take away life.

What you say about yourself and others matters.

But at the end of seven years, God restored Nebuchadnezzer to his former place. In all of the years he lived and looked like an animal, no other man took his kingdom away from him.

Imagine if Obama lost his mind for seven years. We’d have a new president within a day!

Here’s what we learn from this story. One, God is serious about humility. He’s serious about honoring Him as Lord of all. He WILL do what He says He’ll do.

Two, words mean things! Even sarcastic, funny (supposedly funny) ones. Our worry, complaining and even bragging produces something. We’d better be sure of the power of our words. Innocence is no excuse.

Third, we see an incredibly merciful, kind God. He restored Nebuchadneezer to his former place. God preserved his kingdom, he honors him, restores his mind. How amazing.

This is why God is Holy — totally other than anyone or anything we’ve experienced.