Humbling the Proud - Journal Day

A few years back, just after a certain Bishop of Durham had denied the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, a bolt of lightening struck the cathedral causing severe damage to one part. The popular press of course and many of their readers became instant believers – for a day or so – enjoying the thought that it was no co-incidence. ‘It’s a judgement’ they cried! Others took a longer and cooler look at it all and came to a different conclusion pointing out that not nearly enough lightening bolts hit the right people in life to make a theology out of this one. 

​On this occasion recorded in Daniel 4, however, it is indeed a judgement, clear, fearsome, and direct. For seven years we have a bereft Babylon and a great man who is reduced to the indignity of living like an animal.

For, as we saw yesterday, our God is a God who humbles the proud and exalt the humble. We see an example of this in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar - he is brought very low before he acknowledges God. 

Sometimes it can seem to us that there are powers at work in our lives and in our world over which God appears powerless. Yet God has declared that his name will be great among the nations and that every knee will one day bow to acknowledge that he alone is God. 

As we reflect further on Daniel 4 today, some questions for reflection/journaling: 

​Read: Daniel 4
Q. Do you think that Nebuchadnezzar is a true believer by the end of this chapter?
Q. What do the events of this chapter tell us about human nature? 
Q. What do we learn about God's judgement? 
Q. How do these events encourage us to trust, and commit ourselves, to God?