Divine Warnings in the Maze

Daniel 4:37

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

“I told you so!” This is what comes out of the mouth of someone who, well, warned us about what was coming. As parents, we can often see down the road past our children’s decisions. It’s like they are in a kind of maze, and we are watching them. We wince when they make a bad decision and celebrate when they make a good one. Why? Because we can see down the road from that decision and what those decisions lead to.

Nebuchadnezzar was warned. Yes, he was warned in a dream not to become too cocky and proud or the Lord would humble him. Chapter 4 is the dream and the interpretation by Daniel. It is a crazy story. In short, Nebby was warned not to be too proud of what Babylon had become and not to take credit for it, or the Lord would humble him. Verse 30 says, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” I can see God wincing right now, teeth together, shaking his head. Before he finished the phrase, he was driven out of the palace and made to eat grass like an ox for seven years before his sanity was restored. He prays a great prayer after that, and he is restored to his kingship. Verse 37 represents the man he became afterward, humble.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The dream was Nebby’s warning. He endured the seven years of eating grass before he came to his senses. You don’t have to be subjected to eating the proverbial grass for seven years to learn the lesson. I would hope we could come to our senses sooner.

Today, realize that the issues you are having are not the end of you. God has so much more for you to do. You may not see it now. You may just see the wall of the maze and endless turns to nowhere, but God has got you in His hand. He has plans to plant you (Jeremiah 29:11), not pull you up, and to make you the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). Submit to the Lord in all your ways today (Proverbs 3:5–6). He is looking down at the maze we are in, and guiding us into perfect peace, if you will let Him. You can endure what you are in and will get through it, and all you have to do is submit to the Lord.

Prayer: Father, I pray that we refuse to be stubborn toward You, Lord. I pray that we will heed the direction of the Lord and not forsake Your guidance. I pray that we will not lean on our own understanding or take credit for Your hand of grace and favor on our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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