“The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you WHEN YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEAVEN RULES. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: RENOUNCE YOUR SINS BY DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, AND YOUR WICKEDNESS BY BEING KIND TO THE OPPRESSED. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:26-30)
So, what was king Nebuchadnezzar’s response to this dream and warning? “In your face God!” He had been warned by Daniel to repent and confess his sins to God and his kingdom would be restored but what did he do? He took all the credit for what God had done. Israel, God’s people, turned away from God, time and time again, so God put His favor on Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar, its king. In order to keep the king humble, God showed him a vision. Seeking for understanding, he called for Daniel and Daniel interpreted the vision for him. Showing that God would cut Nebuchadnezzar down because he did not give God the glory but took credit for himself. The king would be separated from everyone for seven years to repent and understand that it was God who was blessing him, then he would be restored as king again.
What should we learn from this? We need to RECOGNIZE and ACKNOWLEDGE GOD, VERY REGULARLY, for this pleases Him!
GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER…
-Bill Stockham