37 lines
4.3 KiB
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37 lines
4.3 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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September 24
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<h1>Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Grace for Humility</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>And at the end of the time I, <b>Nebuchadnezzar</b>, lifted my eyes to <b>heaven</b>, and my <b>understanding returned</b> to me; and I <b>blessed</b> the <b>Most High</b> and <b>praised</b> and <b>honored Him</b> who lives forever…He does according to <b>His will</b> in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth…At the same time…I was <b>restored</b> to my kingdom…<b>Now</b> I…b>praise</b> and <b>extol</b> and <b>honor</b> the <b>King</b> of <b>heaven</b>…and those who walk in <b>pride</b> He is able to <b>abase</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 4, '34-37');">Daniel 4:34-37</a>)</div>
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<p>When Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself, he exemplified God's opposition to pride. <i>"Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by <b>my mighty power</b> and for the <b>honor</b> of <b>my majesty</b>?…a voice fell from heaven…'the <b>kingdom</b> has <b>departed</b> from <b>you</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 4, '30-31');">Daniel 4:30-31</a>). When he humbled himself, he <b>exemplified God's grace for humility</b>. <i>"God <b>resists</b> the <b>proud</b>, but gives <b>grace</b> to the <b>humble</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 5, '5-5');">1 Peter 5:5</a>).</p>
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<p>Nebuchadnezzar had been driven into the fields to live as an animal. <i>"That very hour the word was fulfilled…he was driven from men and ate <b>grass</b> like <b>oxen</b>…till his <b>hair</b> had grown like <b>eagles</b>' <b>feathers</b> and his <b>nails</b> like <b>birds</b>' <b>claws</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 4, '33-33');">Daniel 4:33</a>). This season of God's opposition for Nebuchadnezzar's pride would end when he looked to the Lord above. <i>"And at the end of the time I, <b>Nebuchadnezzar</b>, lifted my eyes to <b>heaven</b>, and my <b>understanding returned</b> to me."</i> Now, with his mind enabled to think rightly, he began to give blessing and praise and honor to the Lord God Most High. <i>"And I <b>blessed</b> the <b>Most High</b> and <b>praised</b> and <b>honored Him</b> who lives forever."</i></p>
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<p>This represented a completely transformed perspective for the king. Previously, he was glorifying himself. Now, he glorified the Lord. Previously, he thought he had established himself upon his throne. Now, he saw the will of God behind his ascendancy to power. <i>"He does according to <b>His will</b> in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth."</i> The Lord then granted <b>grace</b> to this humbled king, who had formerly walked in rebellious pride. <i>"At the same time…I was <b>restored</b> to my kingdom."</i> Seated again in authority, he gave honor to the King of heaven (instead of to the king of Babylon). <i>"<b>Now</b> I… <b>praise</b> and <b>extol</b> and <b>honor</b> the <b>King</b> of <b>heaven</b>."</i> Then, he added a remark that reveals the new conviction he received during his humbling. <i>"And those who walk in <b>pride</b> He is able to <b>abase</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God Most High, I confess that I have had moments of success which I wrongly assumed were of my doing. Thank You for the grace You have always given when I humbly turned to honor You again. Lord, help me to keep my eyes consistently toward heaven that I might think rightly and give You all glory and praise day by day, Amen.</div>
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