Daniel 4  Nebuchadnezzar has another amazing dream.. this time of a tree that reaches to the sky and is flourishing. However, the dream alarms him and he calls for the wise men to interpret it for him.  No one is able to do so until Daniel comes in.  When Nebuchadnezzar tells Daniel the dream.. Daniel became alarmed. He really didn't want to tell the meaning of this.. but he did. 

The tree represented Nebuchadnezzar.. and that tree would be cut down and bound by iron and bronze. This represented what would happen to Nebuchadnezzar.. he would be "cut down".. become like an animal in the field.. eating grass, covered with dew.. for 7 "times".. years!  Daniel gave the king this advice, " O king, may my advice be pleasing to you; break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity." 

However, it does not appear that Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel's advice and 12 months later, as he looked over his beautiful city, his pride took over.. "Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" (v30)  It was at that moment that the prophecy was fulfilled and the Lord took away.. not only Nebuchadnezzar's sovereignty, but his sanity and he was driven into the fields to eat grass.. "until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes." 

Seven years later.. Nebuchadnezzar finally looked up to heaven and recognized the One true God.. "for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?'" (v34-35) 

Amazingly, Nebuchadnezzar was restored to his kingdom and became great once again. His final recorded testimony was this: "Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." (v37)

Father, may we learn from Your word the truths that it took Nebuchadnezzar 7 years to realize.. that You are the Most High God and You do Your will on the earth.. You raise up the humble and cut down the proud.. You put in place those who You desire to rule on this world.  We have leaders in our own nation who are prideful and arrogant and we pray that they would take Daniel's advice and turn from their sins and seek You with all their hearts.  Help us to always keep in mind that You alone are God and it is Your kingdom that will endure forever.. nothing else can ever come close.  Be exalted, O Lord, for You are just and righteous.  May Your Name be proclaimed in all the earth and every king, ruler, or president bow before You. amen.