God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain. CS Lewis

The Grace of God

Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
Daniel 4:29-31

Nebuchadnezzar was a very powerful and prominent king. Although he experienced and witnessed the power of God working through those whom he had taken captive from Judah, he did not give God the glory but instead, boasted of his own strength and power. He was warned in a dream to repent of his pride and arrogance but he did not heed the warning and had to learn the hard way.

The Lord caused him to become insane, behaving like an animal and eating grass like oxen. After Nebuchadnezzar was humbled, he understood the purposes of God, acknowledging Him as the supreme ruler over the entire universe, the One who was able to give and hold back all power on earth.

We, also, are sometimes warned by friends and spoken to by God but are we humble enough to change? If not, we may be faced with difficulties and uncomfortable circumstances until we learn our lesson and submit to His correction.

The Lord desires all men to come to repentance and is not slack concerning His promise. He is long suffering toward us. (2 Peter 3:9) After seven years, God restored Nebuchadnezzar as king, a king who had learnt valuable lessons about the sovereignty of God.

Just as the Lord is patient in His dealings with us, so He desires that we show the same grace to others.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your grace that has saved me. Please help me to extend the same grace to others, serving them in love and humility, because You first loved us. Amen.

Theo & Manju