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10/19 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 22; 1 Thessalonians 5; Daniel 4; Psalms 108-109
Daniel 4:4
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace.
NEBUCHADNEZZAR
In this fourth chapter of Daniel, the king of Babylon provides his very own testimony. Nebuchadnezzar was prosperous because of the grace of God. God raised him up and allowed his army and kingdom to grow mighty in order to bring judgment upon Israel’s disobedience (Jer 25:9; Dan 2:37). So prosperous was his kingdom that Nebuchadnezzar’s empire was signified as a head of gold in an image from his earlier dream (Dan 2:38). In a later dream, from today’s chapter, God revealed to Nebuchadnezzar his pride (Dan 4:22) and his humiliation because of it (Dan 4:25); nevertheless, he would eventually repent and be converted so he could glorify God (Dan 4:26).
Prosperity is not evil, in and of itself. It’s just that, for the most part, fallen man does not handle it well. Eventually, in all of God’s blessings, Nebuchadnezzar finally exalted himself for his prosperity, saying:
“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30
In a devotion by Mr. Spurgeon, he writes,
“Uninterrupted prosperity is a thing to cause fear and trembling.” —Charles H. Spurgeon, Faith’s Checkbook, Moody Press, Chicago; 1980, pg. 147
How right he was! This may be one of the reasons…
…that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Corinthians 1:26, KJV
Many who prosper in wisdom, strength, and position are so enamored by their own success that they would hardly think to praise God for the blessings He has bestowed upon them to achieve said success. Nebuchadnezzar, on the other hand, was humbled by God (Dan 4:33); yet afterward, by God’s grace, he was blessed to know and honor the eternal, Most High God (Dan 4:34). Thus, he was restored to a new kingdom, a greater kingdom, a supreme kingdom— the kingdom of Christ (Dan 4:36). Unless we recognize we are spiritual paupers apart from Jesus Christ, Christ’s kingdom is not ours, as Jesus Himself preached:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
