Have you ever gotten cocky? It’s easy to do. As king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar ruled the world. One day while telling himself how great his kingdom was, Nebuchadnezzar was struck with the mind of an animal and driven into the wilderness. His hair grew “like eagles feathers,” and his nails “like birds’ claws.” He ate grass like cattle and his body was drenched with dew.
The man became a feral king.
For seven years, the most regal, most “sophisticated” man on earth became an animal in the wilderness, a mad man without language or reason, a savage, untamed monster—a beast. What could be more humbling?
“But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and glorified Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation…. My majesty and splendor returned to me…. My advisors and my nobles sought me out…. Now I praise, exalt, and glorify the King of Heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just. HE IS ABLE TO HUMBLE THOSE WHO WALK IN PRIDE.” Daniel 4:34-37.
God humbled the greatest king, the most powerful man in the world. And what may look like seven wasted years is actually an act of great mercy. EVERYONE will be humbled, but most only when facing death and judgment, where every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. Nebuchadnezzar was blessed with humility while still on earth, where he had a chance to worship God and do some good. God was merciful: He showed him that without God, he was no better than an animal. The king’s whole life was changed when God humbled him.
Has God ever humbled you? Does He need to? It is always easier to humble yourself than to wait for God to do it. Ask God to keep you humble. And then “humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will exalt you.” James 4:10.
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P.S. The drawing above is called ‘Nebuchadnezzar’ (detail) and is a colour print by the English poet, William Blake.
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