29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 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?”
31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
Being puffed up and taking the credit for things undeserved get you in trouble. We all like to be recognized for the good we do, but I don't like taking credit for things that are not really of my doing. Like the song I sang on Sunday. This song has been in my repertoire for 25 years! I praise God that I can sing this song well. I am blessed that it touched many people. That is God's doing, not mine. I just am a messenger. I say thank you for the compliments, but take no credit. I am just the instrument.
King Nebuchadnezzar didn't realize this. He said (to paraphrase) Isn't this city great that I built to show my greatness and power. What an ego! What can we learn from this story? We need to remember that pride comes before the fall. And fall he did. I can't imagine what he really looked like, but it would have scared me. We should all pray that we keep our pride in check and remember that God creates all things and the credit goes to him. Just as Tim Tebow bows in the end zone of a football field after a win to thank God, we too, should always bow to the Lord of all creation in reverence and thankfulness for all we have and been given.
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