Today you should read: Daniel 4
Our lives are for God’s glory – plain and simple – but we’ve bought the lie. The lie that it is all about us – that we pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps – that life is what I make it. It simply isn’t true. This is especially hard when we experience fame or success – as in our story today.
King Nebuchadnezzar had it all. Everyone bowed down to him – he had the choicest of accommodations, food, and women. He had everything anyone could ever want… but he forgot where it came from. He began to think it was because of him – his wisdom – his ability – his leadership.
God gave him a dream. God often spoke through dreams and the king knew it. The dream bothered him – what could it mean? He asked all his magicians, enchanters, astrologers and fortune-tellers – no one knew. Then someone thought of Daniel – God lived in him and would enable him to understand the dream. Daniel explained that the kingdom was soon to be taken from Nebuchadnezzar if he didn’t repent and do what’s right (v.27). He simply refused – he had a hard heart.
So… God let him live like a crazy man – like a wild animal. He ate grass like a cow, he lived outdoors, his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like bird claws. This would continue until he learned “that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone He chooses”.
This is true today too. God still rules in the same way. He’s the one that allows us to prosper and suffer – he lets you flourish in business – find the right guy – build a successful church. He is the one that rules and gives success and prosperity to who HE chooses.
If you are living a life of prosperity – it’s because God allowed it and He wants you to use it for His glory. If you don’t – He might take it away. If you’re struggling – it’s because God wants to get your attention and turn your focus to Him.
Never forget the words God spoke to king Nebuchadnezzar, “the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone He chooses.”
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 