Your Moment of Truth (Daniel 4:29-36)
Once upon a time there was a man named Nebuchadnezzar. He was the most powerful king who had ever lived and he knew it. He did as he pleased without thinking twice about it. He was a god in his own mind and in the minds of just about everyone else for that matter (on earth anyway).
One night he had a nightmare and shot out of bed in search of the meaning. Only one man had answers. His name was Daniel. He revealed the secrets of the king's dream and gave him a warning from Almighty God to turn from his evil ways and repent of his sins.
But Nebuchadnezzar went about his business as usual. A full year later as he strolled through the top of his penthouse, he began congratulating himself on his successes and reflecting on how he was a "self-made" man. Little did he know what was about to happen next.
God had plans for Nebuchadnezzar. In His sovereign power He transformed the King's mind into that of a wild animal, drove him from society like a madman, and forced him to spend seven years grazing with the cattle. In a flash his life morphed from the Penthouse to Animal house. He lost everything, including his mind.
After seven years of insanity, the king regained His right mind was restored to his throne with a new perspective on life and the sovereignty of God. The last verse says it all, "He knows how to humble the proud." (vs 37).
I think we all find ourselves face to face with a moment of truth sometimes where God allows us to accomplish something of significance or become successful simply to see whether we will give the credit to Him or try and take it from Him.
Time and time again we are offered these two choices: take credit from God or give credit to Him. The issue has nothing to do with our stuff. The king had success, power, authority, and wealth. The passage makes it clear that God had given him all of it. But in his moment of truth he learned a valuable lesson by choosing to take the credit for his job, his wealth, his health, his fame, and all of his success instead of giving it to God.
Granted, Nebuchadnezzar was given 12 months notice to change his mind before God changed it for him (literally). Sometimes we're not so lucky. As the story reminds us: God is sovereign and He does as He pleases because He answers to no one. He can exalt and He certainly can humble. We may get a second chance to get it right, or we might experience God's mercy as He knocks the wind out of our pride.
Jesus reminds us, "But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 NLT). Again the choice and the outcome are both ours to pick: exalt myself now and get humbled by God later or give God the credit and allow Him to promote me as He desires.
At the end of the day it's always safe to remind ourselves this simple truth about life: "...everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for his glory..." (Romans 11:36 NLT). We have nothing God didn't give us and accomplish only that which God intends to bring Him more glory.
Today could very well be your moment of truth. Will you take the credit? Or will you give it to its rightful owner?
Find us at:
Facebook.com/Josh1eight
Twitter @Josh1eight
One night he had a nightmare and shot out of bed in search of the meaning. Only one man had answers. His name was Daniel. He revealed the secrets of the king's dream and gave him a warning from Almighty God to turn from his evil ways and repent of his sins.
But Nebuchadnezzar went about his business as usual. A full year later as he strolled through the top of his penthouse, he began congratulating himself on his successes and reflecting on how he was a "self-made" man. Little did he know what was about to happen next.
God had plans for Nebuchadnezzar. In His sovereign power He transformed the King's mind into that of a wild animal, drove him from society like a madman, and forced him to spend seven years grazing with the cattle. In a flash his life morphed from the Penthouse to Animal house. He lost everything, including his mind.
After seven years of insanity, the king regained His right mind was restored to his throne with a new perspective on life and the sovereignty of God. The last verse says it all, "He knows how to humble the proud." (vs 37).
I think we all find ourselves face to face with a moment of truth sometimes where God allows us to accomplish something of significance or become successful simply to see whether we will give the credit to Him or try and take it from Him.
Time and time again we are offered these two choices: take credit from God or give credit to Him. The issue has nothing to do with our stuff. The king had success, power, authority, and wealth. The passage makes it clear that God had given him all of it. But in his moment of truth he learned a valuable lesson by choosing to take the credit for his job, his wealth, his health, his fame, and all of his success instead of giving it to God.
Granted, Nebuchadnezzar was given 12 months notice to change his mind before God changed it for him (literally). Sometimes we're not so lucky. As the story reminds us: God is sovereign and He does as He pleases because He answers to no one. He can exalt and He certainly can humble. We may get a second chance to get it right, or we might experience God's mercy as He knocks the wind out of our pride.
Jesus reminds us, "But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 NLT). Again the choice and the outcome are both ours to pick: exalt myself now and get humbled by God later or give God the credit and allow Him to promote me as He desires.
At the end of the day it's always safe to remind ourselves this simple truth about life: "...everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for his glory..." (Romans 11:36 NLT). We have nothing God didn't give us and accomplish only that which God intends to bring Him more glory.
Today could very well be your moment of truth. Will you take the credit? Or will you give it to its rightful owner?
Find us at:
Facebook.com/Josh1eight
Twitter @Josh1eight
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