lent day 9

 Daniel Chapter 4

Read the whole chapter- Im not going to copy it here.  Its the chapter in which Nebuchadnezzar has his second dream which is interpreted by Daniel.  The dream foretells the descent of the King into madness and the chapter goes on to show the fulfilment of this as Nebuchadnezzar spends 7 years as a raving madman before being restored to his right mind and his kingdom, finally to acknowledge God as Lord.

Why this judgment on him? He had, first of all, rejected God and rejected the revelation of God. He was a vile, cruel, violent man; wanted to butcher a whole group of men back in chapter 2. Heated the furnace seven times hotter than normal to burn up the three young men. In Jeremiah 29, we read that he roasted two Jews. In 2 Kings 25 he took Zedekiah after the sack of Jerusalem and he put out his eyes. But before he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, he massacred his two sons in front of him so in his blindness the last vision he would have would be of his slaughtered sons.

Second Kings 24 says he imprisoned 18-year-old King Jehoiakim and left him there for 36 years. He was a very evil man. He was arrogant. He was proud. He deserved judgment. Most of all, and the final reality, he refused to repent. And that’s always the issue. He refused to repent. Thunder breaks on his head. He becomes a madman. And everything God said happened to him. (from https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/90-450/a-warning-to-every-proud-ruler)

Over the past few days many of us will have once again been despairing over some of the leaders we are currently suffering under in the world.  Putin who ruthlessly disposes of any opponents without compunction and Netanyahu who is seemingly oblivious to the ever rising international cries for cessation of violence in Gaza.  Trump who seems to believe his own conspiracy theories to excuse himself of corporate fraud and massive moral bankruptcy.  I dont know about you but Im longing for God to ' do a Nebuchadnezzar' on a few world leaders at the moment.  

I was about to write ' and raise up a few Daniels'.  But then I stopped to wonder whether God hasnt already raised up Daniels. Maybe Alexei Navalny was a Daniel. Maybe God has young men and women posted in the courts of the despots of the world ready to interpret their dreams, counsel them in their madness and show them the character, nature and power of God. I hope so.

At the end of chapter 4 we read this

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

34But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever:

“For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35All the peoples of the earth

are counted as nothing,

and He does as He pleases

with the army of heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

There is no one who can restrain His hand

or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ ”

36At the same time my sanity was restored, my honour and splendour returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Finally Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God.  It has taken years, decades probably, of Daniel and his friends praying, seeking the Lord, interpreting dreams, offering godly counsel,. putting their own lives at risk.  A lifetime of sacrifice and service when God has not restored them back to their homeland and hasn't stopped the despotic king from being a despot.  Until finally He does.  Would you have stopped praying after a year, ten years ?  I would.   But this was one of  the most powerful men on earth at the time. His dynasty was vast, his power was total and now, at last, he has been humbled under the hand of God and knows his place in the scheme of things.  Now, hopefully, having spent 7 years completely humiliated, he can appreciate the position to which he has been restored and use his power properly.  Lets pray for our world leaders - even the very worst of them.  Because God must surely want every single one of them to acknowledge and rule under Him, and He is capable of bringing about that very thing if the Daniels, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednegos keep faithfully praying.