Passage Read: Daniel 4-7
Meditation Verses: 5:18-20
Thought
The Lord exalted Nebuchadnezzar to be the highest and greatest of kings, even though Nebuchadnezzar knew little or nothing about the Lord. What he knew came from taking over Judah, but how much did he learn about Judah's God? He took over many kingdoms! Surely he didn't study all their religions. He worshiped his own god. Yet the Lord exalted him, and began to reveal Himself to Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel and significant dreams. So the day came when God humbled him, drove him from his kingdom and took away his sanity--until he finally acknowledged the Lord as sovereign over all nations and men. Then, amazingly, the Lord returned his sanity and his kingdom to him! Nothing is too hard for the Lord! He literally takes away a kingdom and restores it on schedule!
Application
How much more important is it that I recognize the Lord as sovereign over my life and everything in it. He can give and He can take away, and He can restore what was taken, without any effort on my part. Everything I have and everything I'm given to do can be taken away or given back at His command. That's how mighty God is. Everything I have and everything I'm given to do is from the Lord, so I need to acknowledge the Lord and make sure everything I do is pleasing to Him. I serve Him and His agenda, not my own. I give everything I am and have to do to Him. It was always His to begin with! I need to use it and do it all as He desires.