At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity

was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

Daniel 4:34

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream in Daniel 4 and Daniel interpreted it. In the dream there was a tree. It grew large and strong and its top touched the sky and was visible to the ends of the earth (v.11) Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant. The animals found shelter under it and the birds lived in the tree. A messenger appeared who was holy and came down from heaven. He called in a loud voice to cut down the tree, trim its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit…but leave the stump and its roots. Then the messenger switches the pronoun from it (being the tree) to him… “Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.” (v.15-16) Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar that the tree was him. He had become great and strong and reached to the ends of the earth. God was the messenger and He said that the king would lose not only his status in the world, but his very sanity. For seven years he would live like a wild animal. But at the end of seven years, his sanity and his kingdom would be restored. King Nebuchadnezzar would know the God of Israel was the one true God and he would worship him and acknowledge Him as sovereign over the earth. Twelve months after Daniel gave the interpretation, the dream was fulfilled.

Do you see the creativity of God? Do you see His unique way of getting the king’s attention? We are praying for our wayward children who belong to God. We are asking that God would get their attention. Some of our prodigals will have this happen…not the same thing of course, but a “knocking down” of self and their way of life that refuses to acknowledge God as the Most High, sovereign over all. After a time, they will turn back to Him and see Him for who He really is…the One True God who is in control. When we see this happen, we can know it is God at work. In the past when they followed Christ, they may have followed out of a head knowledge, but in the end, they will know God and understand; they will experience His love and grace. They will say, Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever. Everywhere—from east to west—praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; His glory is higher than the heavens. (Psalm 113:2-4) They will praise the Most High and honor and glorify Him who lives forever. They will raise their eyes toward heaven.

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in Your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 1:2