The King Humbled and the King Exalted
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 4:34-37
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The King Humbled and the King Exalted
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth, until the Lord struck him down in divine discipline. But when his reason returned, so did his humility. The proud king lifted his eyes to heaven and praised the One who truly reigns. He learned what we too must learn: that God's kingdom is everlasting, and His ways are always just. Though God's judgment humbles, His mercy restores. The cross of Christ is the greatest display of this paradox. There, the eternal King was brought low, crushed for our iniquities, so that sinners might be lifted up by grace. In Christ, we see both God’s justice and mercy perfectly united. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we confess that all power and glory belong to the Most High. And in Christ crucified, we find that this Most High King is also our gracious Savior. Repentant hearts are never rejected, they are restored by the King who reigns from the cross.
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 4:34-37
+
The King Humbled and the King Exalted
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth, until the Lord struck him down in divine discipline. But when his reason returned, so did his humility. The proud king lifted his eyes to heaven and praised the One who truly reigns. He learned what we too must learn: that God's kingdom is everlasting, and His ways are always just. Though God's judgment humbles, His mercy restores. The cross of Christ is the greatest display of this paradox. There, the eternal King was brought low, crushed for our iniquities, so that sinners might be lifted up by grace. In Christ, we see both God’s justice and mercy perfectly united. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we confess that all power and glory belong to the Most High. And in Christ crucified, we find that this Most High King is also our gracious Savior. Repentant hearts are never rejected, they are restored by the King who reigns from the cross.
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