Study 22
by Charles Tan
Text: Daniel 4:34-36
Dear Brethren,
LESSONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY
It seems that we hardly learn any lesson in life until we have gone through some pain or hardship! Nebuchadnezzar had been warned by God and Daniel that he must break off his sinful habits or face stern discipline!
Nebuchadnezzar did not learn what he needed to deeply enough! There was only one way to learn – the painful way! We read these solemn words concerning the discipline that God meted out to the king of Babylon.
“He was driven from men and ate grass like oxen;
and his body was wet with the dew of heaven
till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers
and his nails like birds’ claws.”
Daniel 4:33
THREE SIMPLE BUT VITAL LESSONS!
After the period of punishment was over, King Nebuchadnezzar reflected on his experience, and made some very important observations about what he had learned about God!
1. The Greatness of God
He learned that God was indeed far greater than he – the king of Babylon! His mighty kingdom that he boasted of possessing (Cf. Daniel 4:30) was NOTHING compared to God’s kingdom which was “an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation…” Daniel 4:34
2. The Puny Estate of Man
He learned that in God’s eyes, “all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His Will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; no one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ ” (Daniel 4:35)
3. God can and will humble the proud
He learned that one must never be proud in life. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” (Daniel 4:37)
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING ABOUT LIFE ?
What are some of the lessons we are discovering about God as we read the Lord’s Word? Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the above lessons in the most painful way! How are we learning the lessons the hard way!
The lessons that Nebuchadnezzar was forced to learn are things that God wants us to learn as well. These three lessons of life appear simple, and yet Nebuchadnezzar could not master these lessons, except through pain and hardship! Let us seek to learn the lessons God desires to teach us without having to undergo painful chastisement.