“At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.”
Daniel 4:29-33 NKJV
My help
Humanity has existed under a state of self deception, believing that one has the power to accomplish things alone, with no help from God. Here in the United States, we extol the virtues of the “self-made man”, the person who is able to do things by own will and drive. There’s a willful ignorance of the interconnectivity of all people, circumstances and events that lead to those accomplishments. No one operates in a vacuum.
The story of the momentary fall of Nebuchadnezzar is very instructive for the self made, of the folly of believing that we can do anything on our own. God is sovereign in the life of the believer and the unbeliever, the saved and the lost. No one exists without the grace of God, as He is the Creator of all.
Time and experience have have greatly reduced my life down to the most basic of things, as there is little that I am able to do. What I can do is blanketed in prayer, infusing my actions with God’s guidance, as there is little reserve.
Nebuchadnezzar was a glorious king, who had accomplished much, but he had forgotten the power behind the throne, and that God had ordained all that he had done to Israel. In his pride, he took credit for his accomplishments, even though he had been warned in a dream. God even offered an out for Nebuchadnezzar, as Daniel offered a suggestion to somehow extend his prosperity.
“Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.””
Daniel 4:27 NKJV
How many times have people spoken truth onto our own lives, bringing warning and blessing if we heeded the advice, only to neglect it and suffer the consequences. Way too many times in my case.
Through much breakage, I have come to know where my help comes from. It comes from the Lord.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.”
Psalms 121:1-8 NKJV
I take no credit for the things I have done in service to my Lord, for I have been empowered. When I think of David slaying Goliath, I do not seek a mere shepherd boy killing a big giant, but a prayerful servant in constant, conscious, contact with his Creator, going into battle with confidence in God, a confidence built up on prayer and an intimate walk with the Lord.
“Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!””
I Samuel 17:37 NKJV
Before David did anything, he first went to the Lord. Being a man after God’s own heart, I am sure he prayed for Goliath along the way.
Brothers and sisters let us acknowledge that we can do nothing, that we are poor and needy and without strength. Let us not neglect prayer, opting to throw ourselves into action, and subsequently failing. If your life is where you want it, give glory to God and take heed of the story of Nebuchadnezzar, as it is there for our instruction.
God gave you the strength to do what you are doing, just as God has provided for me to do what I do. Go into your work week rejoicing in what God has provided, and may every success give Him glory.
THE PRAYER CHAIR IS OPEN! Send me your requests!
Musings from an idle mind 
Thanks for your prayers Bernie! Made it to church safely yesterday, from dad‘s house. Then, the challenge that we had in our small group also went quite well. So thankful for the Lord‘s humbling and his incredible mercy in our lives. Thank you so much for your prayers my friend.
Also, saw an old Riviera this morning and it made me think of you and pray for you. I love you brother.
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