This Bible text was written as an interpretation of the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had. In verse 24 God inspired Daniel to give its meaning. It was an awful prophecy laid on the most powerful man of the land. Scripture says that he was driven into the field as an animal, he wondered about with dew on his body and fingernails long as claws while he made his dwelling with the beasts of the field. In other words, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to go insane as a result of him bragging over his great accomplishments. Verse 34 is a beautiful recollection by Nebuchadnezzar himself. He said, “at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes to heaven and mine understanding turned into me and I blessed the most high, and I praise and honor him that lives forever, his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. He went further to say, “now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.”
This is a short summary of the man that was proud of himself ignoring God as the supreme ruler of the universe to whom we must give account of ourselves. This is also a warning to all those who resist God. There are times that people go through the worst of times so that they might eventually turn their hearts to God. Without those troublesome experiences they might never, ever allow God to be in their lives. So, the question in our text is, “To what extent must God go” to get your attention, to get you to serve him, to give up your pride, to allow the love of Jesus to be received unto salvation? How have some of us or all of us forced God’s hand so that we may respond to him? God is not wanting trouble to come into our lives. However, he sometimes does use trouble to get us to turn to him. Maybe you are finding yourself in the depths of despair not realizing what God has allowed so that we would look up to him. Are you resistant to turn from your old ways to his way?
Notice that in this text Nebuchadnezzar went through a horrible experience only to later enjoy the best God offered him. His worst was God’s tool to steer him in the right direction so that ultimately, he lifted up his eyes and confessed faith in the true God. If you find yourself struggling, perhaps it’s for your own good. Could it be that you are resisting God in some area of your life. All that God does is out of his love. If you have doubts, if you have pain in your emotions, if your spirit is troubled, turned to him. When Nebuchadnezzar did this, he realized new blessings in a new way for a new purpose. Let your pain or confusion or bewilderment be a driving force that takes you to the throne of God.
Christian Writer 