(Read Daniel 4:28-35)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. Let’s pick up the story of what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar where we left off.
The Bible says, “All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months after the dream, King Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of his palace in Babylon. While on the roof, the king said, “Look at Babylon! I built this great city. It is my palace. I built this great place by my power. I built this place to show how great I am.”
The words were still in his mouth when a voice came from heaven. The voice said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, these things will happen to you: Your power as king has been taken away from you. You will be forced to go away from people. You will live with the wild animals and eat grass like an ox. Seven seasons will pass before you learn your lesson. Then you will learn that God Most High rules over human kingdoms and gives them to whoever he wants.”
These things happened immediately. Nebuchadnezzar was forced to go away from people. He began eating grass like an ox. He became wet from dew. His hair grew long like the feathers of an eagle, and his nails grew long like the claws of a bird.
Then at the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and I was in my right mind again. Then I gave praise to God Most High. I gave honor and glory to him who lives forever. God rules forever! His kingdom continues for all generations. People on earth are not really important. God does what he wants with the powers of heaven and the people on earth. No one can stop his powerful hand or question what he does.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. There is no “I” in grace.
a) Solomon said, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov 16:18).
b) Even after all the warnings he received, at the height of his reign King Nebuchadnezzar said, “Look at Babylon! I built this great city. It is my palace. I built this great place by my power. I built this place to show how great I am.” These words were still flowing out of his mouth when judgment came.
c) Nebuchadnezzar lost his throne and lived like a wild animal for seven seasons because of pride.
d) While in heaven Lucifer said, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isa 14:13,14). As a result, he was kicked out of heaven.
e) There is no “I” in grace. We are nothing without God. We are who we are by the grace of God. Never forget it!
2. Humility is the key to flowing in God’s grace.
a) Solomon said, “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Prov 11:2).
b) Solomon said, “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” (Prov 29:23).
c) Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Mat 23:11,12).
d) James said, “But God gives us a greater grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6).
3. Learn Nebuchadnezzar’s lesson without experiencing his pain.
a) The King paid a terrible price for walking in pride, but in the end he learned his lesson.
b) Nebuchadnezzar learned that God is sovereign, He has all power, and He can raise up or put down whomever He wants.
c) You can learn this lesson for yourself, the hard way, or you can learn it from Nebuchadnezzar. The latter is much better.
4. Remain “little” in your own eyes.
a) King Saul got to the point where he was no longer “little” in his own eyes and it cost him his throne. Nebuchadnezzar almost paid the same price. He lost his throne for a while, but he got it back.
b) Pride is very dangerous because many times others can’t see it. You can do the right thing, with the wrong motives in your heart, and God bless others through you, while rejecting you.
c) If I preach a great message, in pride, God may still bless others through the message, but then deal with me afterwards.
d) People are quick to be enamored by your outwards appearance, personality, charisma, charm, and etc.; but God examines your heart.
e) Remain “little” in your own eyes and God will make you big.
f) Remain “little” in your own eyes and God will bring you before great men.
g) Remain “little” in your own eyes and God will exalt you great than you ever imagined – by His grace and for His glory.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. Grace is Your part and faith is my part. As I walk, live, pray, fight and overcome by faith, I constantly remind myself that I am who I am by Your grace. Even if I experience a great victory using my faith, I remind myself that I did nothing but use what You gave me in the first place. You deposited faith in my heart. You build my faith through Your Word. You have graced people to coach, teach and mentor me. You spend time with me as I make time for You. So whatever I am, what position I attain, and whatever level of success I experience, it is all because of You. I remain little in my own eyes. I will never get to the point where I believe I have done anything on my own. I will never use the word “I” when characterizing my success. I humble myself. I remain a servant leader. I am here to serve those You bless me to serve. I don’t look at those I am graced to lead as my servants. Instead I see myself as their servant. Godly leadership is a servant relationship that facilitates human development. I serve those You bless me to lead, in hopes of developing them for their Kingdom assignment. This mentality helps me walk-out my own Kingdom assignment with a humble spirit that accesses Your unearned grace daily. I am little in my own eyes and because of it, You make me BIG in the eyes of others. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
