I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about life’s purpose and the role of the church and in so doing have been drawn to the Old Testament.
Woven within some of the stories of the men and women who have gone before us are certain commonalities that begin with the choice of whether or not to serve God, whether or not to use the gifts and talents given by God to honor God or to honor self, and whether or not to choose humility with successes brought from God’s hand or to choose pride.
We are given an insider’s view into the heart of various kings such as King Saul who allowed jealousy toward David to trip him up in his pride of wanting to be great. It’s painful to read the account of his life and to watch his life unravel once his eyes are taken off of God.
This week, however, I have been intrigued with the story of another king, King Nebuchadnezzar- the greatest of the Babylonian kings. While at home in his palace, contented and prosperous, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that made him afraid; the dream downright terrified him. None of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners could interpret the dream; so Daniel was brought before the king.
Daniel interpreted the dream, speaking the truth that God revealed to him about what was about to happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. King Nebuchadnezzar was compared to a large and strong tree with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing fruit for all, giving shelter to the beasts of the field and having nesting places in its branches for the birds of the air. (Daniel 4:20-21) “You, O King, are that tree! You have become great and strong, your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.” (vs.22)
Daniel went on to tell King Nebuchadnezzar that the tree was going to be cut down, leaving the stump of the tree with its roots because one day his kingdom would be restored, only after King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that Heaven rules. Until that day, he would be drenched with the dew of heaven, living like a wild animal until seven times passed by for him.
David encouraged the king to renounce his sins that his prosperity might continue. However, as we continue to read his story we learn that King Nebuchadnezzar did not heed that warning, “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?” (vs. 29,30)
“The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.” (vs. 31, 32)
As I’ve been pondering the severity of God’s punishment toward King Nebuchadnezzar, I find myself looking deeper into the thoughts and motives of my own heart; my own pride. It’s in there. The cloak of humility falls swiftly to the dust when I fail to keep my eyes on the One who conquered sin and death for me by laying down His own life.
How many times have I either wittingly or unwittingly over the years thought that my own might and power were the crediting factor for all that might be going right in my life, for the glory of my own majesty? Pride, I am learning, reveals itself in a vast array of circumstances. King Nebuchadnezzar, after all, was only a man as human as each one of us.
After living through seven years of insanity, we hear for the first time from a very changed king, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.” (vs. 34)
He goes on to say, “At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (vs. 36 & 37)
We are given a clear window into King Nebuchadnezzar’s life to see that uncontrolled pride can be self destructive, as the great conqueror is conquered by his Creator. We are also able to see that when we humble ourselves before our Creator, He and He alone is able to restore us back to Him.
It is the prayer and desire of this writer that one of the functions of our local churches might be to walk in such closeness with God and with each other that we could help one another on this Christian pilgrimage of revealing God’s greatness and glory to the world.
Instead of choosing pride, we can choose humility as John the Baptist chose when Jesus arrived on the scene. There was no jealousy, no self promotion, instead John stated that his joy was now complete and that “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30)
As both local and global churches unite with the goal of revealing God’s greatness and glory to the world, I believe our life’s purpose and our joy will be made complete in Him.
Stay the Course…
Sheila
