King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream in which he saw a great
tree. No astrologers, magicians, and enchanters could interpret the king’s
dream except Daniel. The tree was King of the mighty Babylonian kingdom. He was
the most powerful and greatest king in history. He exercised the power and
authority which no one could interrupt and stop in any degree or form. He was a
single authority and power in the kingdom of Babylon. Where does the power come
from? The Scripture teaches where it comes from. The world says the power is
coming from title, fame, wealth, and birth. But it is not true. All power
belongs to God who gives to whomever He wishes. Jesus reveals the source of power
to Pontius Pilate who was presiding the trial as the judge.
“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you
realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered,
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore
the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:10-11)
“‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones
declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is
sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and
sets over them the lowliest of people.’” (Daniel 4:17)
Kingdoms rise and fall not according to the military might
and economic power of nation but according to the sovereignty of God. All power
is coming from God Himself from the headship of family, all ranks of officials,
teacher, police, military, judge, administration, to political and economic power.
What’s the cause of falling? It’s human pride. See what King
Nebuchadnezzar says.
“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?’” (Daniel 4:29-30)
This is the language of deceit and lie provoked by the
devil. He reveals the stupidity of human race that he thinks that he
accomplishes the majestic glory of the kingdom of Babylon all by his own might
and power. He reveals what is look like the deceived and depraved mind of
fallen race. He doesn’t speak the truth but the fantasy and illusion. Prophet
Isaiah prophesied about the devil’s proud and rebellious mind against God.
“How you
have fallen from heaven,
morning
star, son of the dawn!
You have
been cast down to the earth,
you who once
laid low the nations!
You said in
your heart,
‘I will
ascend to the heavens;
I will raise
my throne
above the
stars of God;
I will sit
enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the
utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
I will
ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make
myself like the Most High.’
But you are
brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15)
Any form of pride is not from God but from the devil, a liar
and the father of lies. Look what happened to the man who boasted of himself
and robbed the glory which is not his.
“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.’” (Daniel 4:31)
While his words were on his lips he was immediately stripped
off all the power and authority and became like a mad man being drenched with
the dew of heaven and eating grass like the ox for seven years. This is an act
of God’s love for him to be aware of the truth that there is a God who is
sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and
sets over them the lowliest of people. Although it seems too harsh and brutal
it is the way to true and real life for mankind. Jesus says to the disciples
whatever is highly exalted among men is abominable to God.
“You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of
others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in
God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15)
There is no value in the fallen humanity in God’s sight. The
whole race was dead in sins and transgressions. Since the fall of Adam, all men
are lost, broken, and impotent. Man can do nothing to save himself. So God sent
the Redeemer Jesus Christ to rescue the fallen humanity through the
substitutionary death in our place. We have been made alive in Christ Jesus
through the faith in the Son of God who paid the price for the redemption. It
has been done by God’s redeeming grace in which we take refuge and rest with
gratitude and thankfulness.
Prophet Daniel told the king how he could escape the judgment
of God by renouncing the sin and wickedness of his own. However, he did not
listen to the words of God and fell into the wrath of God.
“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.” (Daniel
4:27)
Is there any hope in the proud mind of race? Yes, there is
in Christ Jesus our Lord and God the Father who is able to humble the proud
through the love manifested in the cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ is the
breakthrough for the fallen race. He is the way and the truth and the life. While
we were still sinners, Christ died for our sins in our place. When we were
still blind and ignorant, God took the initiative to demonstrate the unfailing
love and long suffering patience. God never wants anyone to perish. God is
still telegraphing the marvelous language of love through the words of the Son
Christ Jesus.
“And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel
4:37b)
September 12, 2015
©2015 David Lee Ministries - All rights reserved
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