Isaiah 45:22-25, 22 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. 24 They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. 25 But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in him.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Process to Humility
- He had to Receive the Dream. (Daniel 4:4-18)
- Sovereign refers to God’s ultimate right and power to rule over His creation.
Daniel 4:17, The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.
- In premodern times subjects related to their Lord and King in a deeply personal way: with love, fear, reverence, and awe.
2. He had to be Made Aware of the Danger. (Daniel 4:19-26)
- Be on guard from the illusion of self-sufficiency.
Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
- A passing acknowledgement and praise every now and then is very different from a surrendered life.
3. He had to Make the Decision. (Daniel 4:27)
“You do not truly hold the truth of the doctrine of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ until that doctrine holds you and influences your manner of living as the Bible says it should.” – William Culberton (late president of Moody Bible Institute)
- Every day you have a choice to make to either do things your way or God’s way.
James 1:22-25, 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
4. He had to Embrace the Discipline. (Daniel 4:28-33)
Proverbs 11:2, When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
- Pride is our biggest obstacle to a surrendered life with God.
Matthew 23:12, For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
5. He had to Surrender for Deliverance. (Daniel 4:34-37, 1-3)
- Lifting his eyes to God suggests both faith and submission.
Psalm 123:1 (NLT), I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.
- As a result of humility and surrender, the king (1) praised the Lord, (2) acknowledged His sovereignty, and (3) gave a joyful witness to all people.
Who Wears The Crown?
- There is no co-regency with God, He is either fully King and completely Lord or He is none of these at all.
Isaiah 45:5, I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God . . .
- When we cry out to Him in our brokenness, He will hear us, forgive us, and restore us.
Jeremiah 29:12-13, 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.