Sun.’s Devo - God Rules the Kingdoms of the Earth

Read: Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 28:17-18 Today we have the speech that Nebuchadnezzar gave his people after he had learned his lesson. It all started with a terrible dream that he knew was foreboding of his kingdom. He first asked the wise men for the interpretation and when they could’t give him an acceptable answer, he called for Daniel. It had been years since Daniel had interpreted his last dream. He told him that he dreamed of a very big tree loaded with fruit. The birds made nests in its branches and the wild animals rested in its shade. All the world was fed by this tree. This was a picture of the Babylonian kingdom which he ruled the whole earth at the time. In his dream, a watcher from heaven was called to cut down the tree, shake off its leaves and scatter his fruit. The wild beasts and the birds would flee, and all that would be left was the stump with its roots in the earth. God would let the stump lie in the grass of the field with the beasts till seven times passed over him. Daniel explained that the root was Nebuchadnezzar. He wold be driven from men to live in the field. He would eat grass like a wild animal for seven years. Then his kingdom would be restored to him and he would know that God rules the world. Daniel then implored the king to turn from his sins and live righteously, shewing mercy to the poor and maybe God would continue to prosper him. Nebuchadnezzar didn’t turn from his sins. Instead, he built a new palace in 15 days. The outer wall of Nebuchadnezzar's new palace spanned six miles with two other walls inside it. There was also had a great tower, and three bronze gates. One year from the time of Daniel’s prophesy, Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of his royal palace proclaiming the greatness of his city. He was saying that by his own mighty power, he had built this city and his new palace. Before he could finish his sentence, God spoke from heaven. He told him that he was no longer the ruler of this kingdom. He would be driven to the fields where he would be like a wild animal. He would stay there until he learned that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to whoever He chooses. This happened within the hour! He was put to pasture until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. After seven periods of time, he looked up to heaven and his sanity returned. He was restored to his kingdom and given greater honor than before. He now glorified and honored God as the King of heaven. In Peter, we read that God has given us all we need to live a godly life. Because of his glory and excellence he has given us the promise that we can share in his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption which is caused by human desires. We can add to this great promise: moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection and love for everyone. If this procession of righteousness is our goal, we will never fall away. Jesus had shown Peter that he would not live much longer so he was adamant about reminding them about the truth about Jesus. He had heard GOd’s voice with his own ears on the Mount of Transfiguration. God said, “this is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Peter experienced God’s words just like the prophets did, so we can trust what they said. We can read in our Psalm that David was determined to keep God’s decrees to the very end. We can make this same choice. Lord, thank you that our power against sin was settled at the cross. We can choose not to follow our worldly desires and choose to follow your Word instead. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that gives us all we need to walk a godly life with power and authority. Thank you for inviting us to be a member of your family and your kingdom.