Weekly Devotion King of the World “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.” Daniel 2.1 It was during his second year as king of the world that Nebuchadnezzar dreamed some disturbing dreams. While some believe that Nebuchadnezzar could not recall his dreams, he at least remembered enough to know he did not like what he saw. Having all the choicest psychologists, counselors, stargazers, and conjurers at his disposal, he called together all who fit a worldly system of thought - hoping they would give him answers to his quandaries. After finding them all incompetent and issuing an order of execution, Daniel comes on the scene. Daniel convinced the king’s henchman to give him audience with the king and the king agreed to give Daniel time to pray and seek God’s guidance in the matter. God answered by giving to Daniel both the contents of the dream and its interpretation. After giving God all the praise and glory for his discovery, Daniel began by disclosing that the head of gold on the statue represented Nebuchadnezzar - the king of the world. While the thought of being king of the world should have been elation enough to satisfy the most arrogant of kings, it seems he could not live with the fact that his would not be an eternal kingdom. Daniel’s interpretation showed that although glorious and magnificent, Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would be of a short duration ended by an invading force - the Medes and the Persians. Nebuchadnezzar was true to his word when he promised to reward anyone who could decipher his dreams and he lavished possessions and position on Daniel and his friends. He came short, however, of fully accepting God’s Word and Will. Being king of the world (of whatever world you are in) brings great responsibilities. Moreover, in a sense, each of us is king of some “world.” That world may be your workplace, your home, your room, or your collection of baseball cards, but we all have a world over which we command great influence. Nebuchadnezzar’s desire to control his world led him to erect a ninety-foot statue made of gold in an attempt to establish his personal empire and circumvent God’s revealed will. (Daniel 3.1) He attempted to force all his subjects to worship it in hopes of lengthening his dominion. (Daniel 3.4-6) Because of his extreme egoism, God brought him low - so low he lost his mind for seven years. This was also revealed to him in a dream by God and interpreted by Daniel. (Daniel 4) Nebuchadnezzar ultimately lost this kingdom, but the greater loss was one God has specifically placed in his care - Belshazzar, his son. Had Nebuchadnezzar been as intent on rearing his son (a great part of his world) with the knowledge and experiences God had blessed him with, how different would have been the outcome! Nebuchadnezzar was one of the greatest pagan kings of all times - one to whom God showed special attention and concern - one to whom God revealed more of His will than to any other non-Hebrew monarch. Nebuchadnezzar, however, chose the world over God’s will. He chose that which was large over that which was important. He chose to advance himself rather than submitting himself to God’s plan. Mark quotes Jesus as saying, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8.36) It is not a great stretch to suggest that this could easily apply to our God-given responsibilities to the world over which He has given us to rule. When Paul wrote of our need to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, he completed that thought by suggesting each of us find our personal “world” and work in it as would be pleasing to our God who has entrusted us with that responsibility. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12.3) Find in your life that world God has given to you and make it pleasing in God’s sight - with neither arrogance nor selfishness. Make it pleasing to God.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 02:28:25 +0000
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