WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:12.320 Amen. 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:16.240 Turn with me this morning to Daniel chapter 4. 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:17.920 Daniel 4. 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:24.719 There's been a clash of kingdoms going on so far in the book of Daniel. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:30.039 Nebuchadnezzar and the kingdom of Babylon in one corner. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:34.200 And Yahweh and the kingdom of Israel in the other corner. 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:38.920 Who's the true king with the lasting kingdom? 00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:41.420 Who's going to come out on top? 00:00:41.960 --> 00:00:47.219 After an initial flurry of activity from Nebuchadnezzar conquering God's people 00:00:47.219 --> 00:00:51.799 and taking vessels from God's temple back to His own gods, 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:59.739 God has one round after another shown Himself convincingly to be the strongest king, 00:00:59.859 --> 00:01:03.280 the God greater than all the gods of Babylon. 00:01:04.439 --> 00:01:06.679 Last week, in fact, at the fiery furnace, 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:13.039 God showed up to rescue His people from the clutches of Nebuchadnezzar and his idol 00:01:13.039 --> 00:01:18.539 and to prove once again that He is the only one worthy of our worship. 00:01:18.540 --> 00:01:24.820 Today, in round 4, chapter 4, God throws the knockout punch. 00:01:25.100 --> 00:01:29.719 This is the last time we'll hear from Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel. 00:01:30.460 --> 00:01:37.800 His kingdom fades and God and His servants continue and stand. 00:01:38.660 --> 00:01:42.560 But Yahweh doesn't just defeat Nebuchadnezzar in this chapter. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:45.400 He does it in such a way that when it's over, 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:51.020 his opponent calls a press conference, so to speak, to praise the power of God. 00:01:52.420 --> 00:01:58.960 Nebuchadnezzar's declaration to all peoples is recorded at both the beginning and the end of this chapter. 00:01:59.079 --> 00:02:04.140 I want us to read it together before we then go back and walk through the story 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:07.280 that led him to make such a declaration as this. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:12.659 For now, we'll start reading at verse 34 of Daniel chapter 4. 00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:15.639 Let's give our attention to God's holy word. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:21.379 At the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:24.000 and my reason returned to me. 00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:28.300 And I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:31.159 For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:34.240 and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 00:02:34.240 --> 00:02:37.840 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:43.240 And He does according to His will among the hosts of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:45.860 And none can stay His hand or say to Him, 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:46.920 What have you done? 00:02:48.260 --> 00:02:50.680 At the same time, my reason returned to me, 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:54.879 and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:57.740 My counselors and my lords sought me, 00:02:57.800 --> 00:02:59.560 and I was established in my kingdom, 00:02:59.700 --> 00:03:02.060 and still more greatness was added to me. 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:08.340 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:12.340 For all His works are right, and His ways are just, 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:16.800 and those who walk in pride, He is able to humble. 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:18.400 Pray with me. 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:26.680 Father, indeed, You are the one whose kingdom lasts forever, 00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:29.460 from generation to generation. 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:35.879 You are the one who is able to humble the prideful. 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:41.280 And Father, we struggle with our own pride, 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:45.219 and we would ask this morning that through Your Word, 00:03:45.620 --> 00:03:46.780 You would humble us. 00:03:47.400 --> 00:03:48.819 That You would not only humble us, 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:51.520 but give us great dependence upon You. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:55.500 Father, do that in my heart first. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:04:01.500 That the one who speaks Your words this morning would not do so in pride, 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:04.900 but in complete dependence upon You. 00:04:04.979 --> 00:04:09.120 Holy Spirit, work in my heart and in all of our hearts 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:12.580 that Your Word might do its mighty work, 00:04:12.659 --> 00:04:14.900 and that we would be different forever 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:17.899 because we met with You this morning. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:20.459 We do ask it in Jesus' name. 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:21.819 Amen. 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:21.980 Amen. 00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:22.980 Amen. 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:23.980 Amen. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:24.980 Amen. 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:28.379 Once upon a time, in a faraway land, 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:31.580 a young prince lived in a shining castle. 00:04:32.840 --> 00:04:35.360 Although he had everything his heart desired, 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:39.660 the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. 00:04:41.020 --> 00:04:42.580 But then one winter's night, 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:44.740 an old beggar woman came to the castle 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:46.800 and offered him a single rose 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:49.920 in return for shelter from the bitter cold. 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:53.160 Repulsed by her haggard appearance, 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:54.540 the prince sneered at the gift 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:56.800 and turned the old woman away. 00:04:57.259 --> 00:05:00.780 But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:03.980 for beauty is found within. 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:07.139 When he dismissed her again, 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:09.180 the old woman's ugliness melted away 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:11.060 to reveal a beautiful enchantress. 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:12.960 The prince tried to apologize, 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:14.160 but it was too late, 00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:17.360 for she had seen that there was no love in his heart. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.540 And as punishment, 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:22.000 she transformed him into a hideous beast 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.879 and placed a powerful spell on the castle 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:26.460 and all who lived there. 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:29.100 Ashamed of his monstrous form, 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:31.600 the beast concealed himself inside his castle 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:32.600 with a magic mirror 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:34.860 as his only window to the outside world. 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:37.060 The rose she had offered 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:38.819 was truly an enchanted rose, 00:05:39.060 --> 00:05:41.300 which would bloom until his 21st year. 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:43.660 If he could learn to love another 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:45.500 and earn her love in return, 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:47.400 by the time the last petal fell, 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:49.319 then the spell would be broken. 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:51.939 If not, he would be doomed 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:54.920 to remain a beast for all time. 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:58.139 That's a fairy tale. 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:00.939 The prologue, of course, 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:02.780 to the classic fairy tale 00:06:02.780 --> 00:06:05.319 we know as Beauty and the Beast. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:08.420 But in real human history, 00:06:08.719 --> 00:06:10.819 there was another such prince 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:13.060 in a shining castle, 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:14.920 in a faraway land, 00:06:15.019 --> 00:06:17.319 with everything his heart desired, 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:19.740 but spoiled, 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:21.560 selfish, 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:23.639 and unkind. 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:26.180 And Daniel chapter 4 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:28.259 is the story of that prince 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:29.519 becoming a beast 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:33.060 until he learns something significant 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:36.379 as well as the other prince had to do. 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:38.379 Until Nebuchadnezzar learns 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:40.300 his own humble state 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:42.620 in the glory and might 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:44.660 of the true king. 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:48.120 Let's start the story there 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:49.779 with King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:52.120 the self-made man. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:55.459 Nebuchadnezzar is so proud of himself, 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:56.319 isn't he? 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:59.139 We've seen this king over and over 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:00.779 through the first chapters of Daniel. 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:03.040 Already he's marked by Aaron, 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:04.160 arrogance, right? 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:07.300 Narcissism, we would say these days. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:09.839 Obsessed with his own glory. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:12.620 And you see it coming again 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:15.840 in verse 4 of this chapter. 00:07:15.980 --> 00:07:17.240 I, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:07:17.340 --> 00:07:19.439 was at ease in my house 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.240 and prospering in my palace. 00:07:23.300 --> 00:07:24.959 And you think, by now, 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:28.120 oh no, that may not last real long. 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:31.079 And then Nebuchadnezzar gets a warning 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:33.779 through a dream that he and his kingdom 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:34.879 will be cut down 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:36.519 and are coming to an end. 00:07:37.039 --> 00:07:39.199 We'll come back to that part in just a bit. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:40.779 But he gets that warning 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:43.300 and still a year after that warning, 00:07:43.419 --> 00:07:45.099 we read this in verse 29. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:48.019 At the end of 12 months after the dream, 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:49.759 he was walking on the roof 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:51.459 of the royal palace of Babylon 00:07:51.459 --> 00:07:53.699 and the king answered and said, 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:56.219 is not this great Babylon 00:07:56.219 --> 00:07:59.399 which I have built by my mighty power 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:01.039 as a royal residence 00:08:01.039 --> 00:08:03.519 and for the glory of my majesty? 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:08.199 And you think, bless his heart. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:11.699 He just doesn't get it, does he? 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:14.620 We've been reading your story. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:17.719 We know how this is going to go. 00:08:17.719 --> 00:08:19.779 You didn't do all of this. 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:23.459 But maybe that's what you expect 00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:25.060 from the king of Babylon, 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:28.439 the enemy of God and his people. 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:29.199 He's the villain. 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:31.180 He's the bad guy in the story, right? 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:33.220 Of course he's like this. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:35.500 My eight-year-old daughter Caitlin 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:38.159 came downstairs one morning this week 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:39.659 and I was working on my sermon 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.219 and she looked over the computer 00:08:41.219 --> 00:08:43.639 and saw Nebuchadnezzar typed in there 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:45.559 and she said, oh, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:08:45.740 --> 00:08:47.480 I don't like him very much. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:50.240 She said, he's always grouchy. 00:08:51.459 --> 00:08:52.500 I thought, oh boy, 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:54.600 our Sunday school teacher's doing a good job. 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:55.819 They've pegged Nebuchadnezzar. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.500 He's always like this, right? 00:08:57.659 --> 00:08:59.120 That's just who he is. 00:09:00.179 --> 00:09:01.620 But stop and think for a minute. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.799 Think of all Nebuchadnezzar has seen. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:07.899 Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:10.139 rise to the top of his advisors 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:11.399 to the cream of the crop. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:15.279 A dream interpreted for him 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.039 about the fall of his kingdom. 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:21.759 Three men spared from the fiery furnace. 00:09:22.579 --> 00:09:23.919 You think he'd begin to pick up 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.240 on something here, right? 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:28.159 Then think of all of the things 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:29.799 that he's said as he's witnessed 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:31.039 these events happening. 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:33.159 Daniel 2 at verse 47, 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.579 the king says to Daniel, 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:37.340 truly your God is God of gods 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:38.379 and Lord of kings 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:39.820 and a revealer of mysteries 00:09:39.820 --> 00:09:42.120 for you've been able to reveal this mystery. 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:43.920 And then the next chapter, 00:09:44.060 --> 00:09:44.820 in chapter three, 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:47.000 Nebuchadnezzar says after the fiery furnace, 00:09:47.540 --> 00:09:49.220 blessed be the God of Shadrach, 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:50.400 Meshach and Abednego 00:09:50.400 --> 00:09:51.700 who sent his angel 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:52.800 and delivered his servants 00:09:52.800 --> 00:09:53.740 who trusted him 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:55.300 and set aside the king's command. 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:57.080 They yielded up their bodies 00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:58.280 rather than serve and worship 00:09:58.280 --> 00:09:59.560 any God except their own. 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:01.020 I'm gonna make a decree. 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:03.060 Any people, nation or language 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:04.659 that speaks anything against the God 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:06.199 of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:07.979 shall be torn limb from limb 00:10:07.979 --> 00:10:09.199 in their houses and ruins 00:10:09.199 --> 00:10:10.899 for there's no other God 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:12.479 who's able to rescue in this way. 00:10:12.959 --> 00:10:15.699 Sounds like a guy who's met Yahweh, right? 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:19.359 Think of all the things he's done. 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.779 Promoting God's people in his government. 00:10:23.599 --> 00:10:24.799 Protecting God's people 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:26.679 through his decrees like that one. 00:10:27.239 --> 00:10:28.679 Trusting God's interpretation 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:30.479 of his dreams through Daniel. 00:10:30.619 --> 00:10:31.859 This is the second time. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:33.460 And you'd think he'd be getting 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:35.139 the message by now, wouldn't you? 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:37.419 Nebuchadnezzar is on board. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:40.120 He understands who the true king is. 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:43.879 But as we've seen, 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:45.100 that's not the case, is it? 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:47.600 What we see here in this king 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:50.580 is that pride blinds us 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:52.800 from seeing our true selves 00:10:52.800 --> 00:10:55.860 or our true king accurately. 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:58.519 Despite what Nebuchadnezzar 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:00.279 has supposedly learned, 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.980 he still surveyed his kingdom 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:05.720 and thought highly of himself. 00:11:07.079 --> 00:11:09.019 He was walking on the roof 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:11.139 of the royal palace in Babylon, 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:12.939 verse 29 says. 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:15.379 A view from which you could see 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:17.379 not only the walls of the city, 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:19.960 thick enough for four chariots 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:22.059 side by side to ride 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:23.620 along the top of the wall. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:26.439 He sees the expanse of his city 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:29.180 and how far and how magnificent it looks. 00:11:29.380 --> 00:11:31.040 From the roof of the royal palace 00:11:31.040 --> 00:11:31.560 in Babylon, 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:33.220 you can see the hanging gardens 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:34.840 that Nebuchadnezzar has built. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:36.440 One of the glories 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:37.900 of the ancient world. 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:41.720 And his pride obscures 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:43.600 the reality of his condition 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:46.560 and the true king of heaven. 00:11:47.900 --> 00:11:49.940 He misses that all of these things 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:51.020 come from God 00:11:51.020 --> 00:11:52.800 who gives power to whom he will. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:55.659 Perhaps it's his power 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:58.919 that leads him to feel self-sufficient, 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:00.639 that he's got that kind of influence 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:02.000 over so many people. 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:04.500 Or maybe it's his possessions, 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:06.879 which do seem pretty impressive, 00:12:06.979 --> 00:12:07.839 you've got to admit, 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:09.599 when you think about Babylon 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:12.139 and all Nebuchadnezzar can call his own. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:14.279 But whatever it is, 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:16.259 he looks out over his kingdom 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:16.959 and he thinks, 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:20.179 yes, I am pretty awesome. 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:22.959 I am really fabulous, you know. 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:24.459 As I stand up here and look out, 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:26.299 I really am something. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:29.599 And we may chuckle at that, 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:31.899 but we do the same thing ourselves, 00:12:31.979 --> 00:12:32.399 don't we? 00:12:33.579 --> 00:12:34.859 We saw last week 00:12:34.859 --> 00:12:36.059 how easily we, 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.479 like Nebuchadnezzar, 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:38.519 worship idols 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:40.659 to get what we really treasure. 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:44.179 How often does our relative wealth 00:12:44.699 --> 00:12:45.919 tempt us to believe 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:47.439 we are self-sufficient, 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:49.879 self-made men and women? 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:52.399 Haven't we, 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.659 like Nebuchadnezzar, 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:55.500 praised the name of God 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:57.340 in here on Sunday? 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:58.679 Prayed to Him? 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:01.360 Confessed our need of Him 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:04.460 only to find our fickle hearts 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:06.080 wandering right back 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.740 to building our own kingdoms 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.480 on Monday morning? 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:12.179 Nebuchadnezzar's not the only one, 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:12.519 is he, 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:14.919 to praise God with his lips 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:16.460 only to see his life 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:18.600 not back it up time and again, 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:20.080 back and forth praise, 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:23.080 and then living for my own glory? 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:27.440 We confessed together earlier this morning 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:29.019 that we have a tendency to do that 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.740 and trust ourselves rather than God, 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.240 but we'll do it again this week, 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.720 won't we? 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:34.759 After all we've seen 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:36.000 and all we've learned, 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:38.000 we'll fall again 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.480 and fail to trust Him. 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.379 To be honest, 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:41.879 it is quite ridiculous 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.679 ridiculous that we do that. 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:46.080 You'd think we'd know better by now. 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:49.639 You'd think we'd have gotten it figured out 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:53.179 and stopped pursuing our own desires 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:55.939 and trusted that God knows best. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.439 But you know, 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:59.500 sin is ridiculous. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:03.059 That's what it's like. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.139 We should look and say, 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:05.379 this makes no sense. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:07.259 Why do I live this way? 00:14:07.820 --> 00:14:09.460 The pride in our hearts 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.600 blinds us 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.600 to seeing 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.600 the seemingly clear reality 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.639 about ourselves 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:16.799 and about our true King. 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.899 It's why pride often comes 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:19.939 before destruction 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.799 and a haughty spirit 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:22.980 before the fall 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:24.679 because it blinds us 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.620 and so of course 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:27.700 when we're walking around blinded, 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.960 we're likely to stumble 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.580 on something. 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.960 We don't see reality 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.080 the way we should. 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:37.120 Have you ever in your heart 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.820 looked out 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:39.700 from your back porch 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:42.220 or your office window 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:44.560 and thought to yourself, 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:45.160 oh yeah, 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:47.480 I am something. 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:50.360 Or maybe you've walked in 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.759 to look at your kids 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.180 sleeping at night 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:54.400 before you go to bed 00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:56.360 and you've looked over them 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.480 and thought to yourself, 00:14:57.480 --> 00:15:00.660 is it not this a great life 00:15:00.660 --> 00:15:02.480 or family? 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:04.400 Or kingdom 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:06.019 that I've built? 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.519 Haven't I done 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:09.040 just a wonderful job? 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.600 I haven't struggled 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.940 with that since last night. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:17.100 Percy Shelley captured 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.800 the emptiness 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:18.800 of our feelings 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.840 of grandeur 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:21.320 in his classic sonnet, 00:15:21.780 --> 00:15:22.600 Ozymandias. 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:25.100 If poetry is not your thing, 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.980 this is the poem, 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.360 but if you're not 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.200 going to figure it out 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.000 anytime soon 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.759 what he's saying, 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.780 I'm with you. 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:32.559 What he sees 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:34.220 is a broken statue. 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.679 This statue 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.959 with only the trunk, 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:38.240 the legs left, 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:40.459 and this broken face, 00:15:40.579 --> 00:15:41.600 the head of the statue, 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:42.819 sitting there 00:15:42.819 --> 00:15:43.720 in the middle 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.159 of the desert sand. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.779 And he realizes 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.939 that there's a plaque 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:49.480 on the bottom 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.100 of a statue, 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:51.120 like all good statues, 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:51.740 to tell you 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.500 who it is, right? 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.259 Who is it 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.399 who had this statue 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.559 built of himself? 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.600 And it's down here 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.240 towards the end 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:58.779 of the poem. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.980 On the pedestal, 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:01.000 the words read, 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:03.600 My name is Ozymandias, 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:05.019 King of kings. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.679 Look on my works, 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:07.279 ye mighty, 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:08.399 and despair. 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:11.519 The king is so confident 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.860 in his own might, 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.539 and Shelley says, 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:18.279 Nothing beside remains. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.220 Sand. 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:24.060 A broken head, 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.519 some crumbling rock, 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.940 and desert 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:29.360 all around. 00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:31.399 As far as the eye can see, 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:33.540 that's all that's left 00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.960 of apparently 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:37.180 a once mighty kingdom. 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:40.879 We outwardly prosperous, 00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:42.820 successful people 00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:44.340 of southeast Huntsville 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:46.200 need to realize 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.259 something this morning. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:50.379 It's hard to see reality 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.559 when you've built 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:52.939 or accumulated 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:54.279 lots of things 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.759 that seem great 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:56.659 and wonderful, 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:59.399 but really don't last. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.620 It makes it hard 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.580 to see the reality 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.399 about yourself 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.400 or the reality 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.180 about God. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:07.779 Nebuchadnezzar's pride 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:08.819 blinded him 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.700 to the reality 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.619 that he was not 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.680 the king of kings, 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.440 that he wouldn't 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.559 last forever. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:15.160 His days would pass, 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.440 and his kingdom 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.700 would end. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.840 That's the reality 00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:22.360 that Nebuchadnezzar 00:17:22.360 --> 00:17:23.200 only realizes 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:25.080 as the humbled beast. 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:28.160 Now there's a dream 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.340 here in this passage 00:17:29.340 --> 00:17:30.240 and then Daniel 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.540 interprets the dream 00:17:31.540 --> 00:17:32.540 for Nebuchadnezzar. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.300 Daniel's interpretation 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:35.320 recounts almost 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.500 all of the dream 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.380 in the interpretation, 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.759 so I'm just going to read us 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:40.160 the interpretation part 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.880 and you'll get 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.900 a pretty good idea 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:43.580 of the dream itself. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.960 Let's read at verse 20 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.859 of chapter 4. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.919 Daniel talking to Nebuchadnezzar 00:17:49.919 --> 00:17:50.299 says, 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.939 The tree you saw 00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:52.599 which grew 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.740 and became strong 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.679 so that its top 00:17:54.679 --> 00:17:55.579 reached to heaven 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:56.899 and it was visible 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:57.579 to the end 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.559 of the whole earth 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.740 whose leaves 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.500 were beautiful 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.980 and its fruit abundant 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.460 and in which was food 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.119 for all 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:05.399 under which the beasts 00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:06.119 of the field 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:07.039 found shade 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.359 and in whose branches 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:08.939 the birds 00:18:08.939 --> 00:18:10.279 of the heavens lived. 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.519 It is you, 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.159 O king, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.440 who have grown 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.740 and become strong. 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.380 Your greatness 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:15.960 has grown 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.980 and reaches to heaven 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:17.779 and your dominion 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.920 to the ends of the earth. 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:19.600 I mean, 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.340 Nebuchadnezzar 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:21.200 was quite a guy, 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.519 right? 00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:23.180 And Daniel says, 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.900 It's true. 00:18:24.300 --> 00:18:25.759 This tree in your dream 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.940 is a picture of you 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.779 and your kingdom. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.900 But there was more 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.560 to the dream. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:32.099 And because the king 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.159 saw a watcher, 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.980 a holy one, 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.599 coming down from heaven 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.279 and saying, 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:37.759 Chop down the tree 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.839 and destroy it, 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.940 but leave the stump 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:41.279 of its roots in the earth 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.319 bound with a band 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.599 of iron and bronze 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:45.519 in the tender grass 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.279 of the field. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.659 And let him be wet 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.919 with the dew of heaven 00:18:49.919 --> 00:18:50.940 and let his portion 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.000 be with the beasts 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.859 of the field 00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:54.259 till seven periods 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.639 of time pass over him. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.519 Because that happened, 00:18:57.619 --> 00:18:58.159 Daniel says, 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:59.240 this is the interpretation 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.560 of that, O king. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.400 It is a decree 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:03.500 of the Most High 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.560 which has come upon 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:05.600 my Lord the King 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:07.360 that you shall be driven 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:08.259 from among men 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.900 and your dwelling 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.900 shall be with the beasts 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.560 of the field. 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.540 You shall be made 00:19:11.540 --> 00:19:13.120 to eat grass like an ox 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.040 and you shall be wet 00:19:14.040 --> 00:19:15.019 with the dew of heaven 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.580 and seven periods of time 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:17.680 shall pass over you 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.700 till you know 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.800 that the Most High 00:19:19.800 --> 00:19:21.380 rules the kingdom of men 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.480 and gives it 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.519 to whom he will. 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:26.019 And as it was commanded 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.880 to leave the stump 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.960 of the roots of the tree, 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.000 your kingdom shall be 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.279 confirmed for you 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.740 from the time 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.079 that you know 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:36.519 that heaven rules. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.380 The dream actually 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:40.360 comes true 00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:41.559 in the worst way 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.620 right at the height 00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:44.019 of the king's pride 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.440 right when he's making 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.279 that statement 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:48.500 of how awesome Babylon is 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.640 as he looks at it. 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.220 Verse 31, 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.920 those words are still 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.920 in the king's mouth 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.900 and a voice falls 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.579 from heaven. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.319 O king Nebuchadnezzar, 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.460 to you it is spoken, 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.899 the kingdom has departed 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.480 from you 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.659 and you shall be driven 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.519 from among men 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.240 and your dwelling 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.179 shall be with the beasts 00:20:04.179 --> 00:20:04.839 of the field 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.200 and Nebuchadnezzar 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:08.579 immediately becomes a beast 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:10.779 and fulfills the dream 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:12.859 that he has had. 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:17.119 we must see the darkness 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:18.579 of our hearts 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.639 of our sin 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:21.899 for what it really is. 00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:22.899 The beastliness 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.479 that is true of us. 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.019 That we're not 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:29.259 the greatest of kings. 00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:31.359 That we have no power 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.819 and no great deeds 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:35.199 to trust in before God. 00:20:35.419 --> 00:20:36.839 That what we accomplish 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:39.199 doesn't impress God. 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:41.660 We have to see that reality 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.799 in our own hearts 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.279 and lives. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:47.080 While pride blinds us 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:48.019 to that reality 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.960 so we don't see it clearly, 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:52.100 humility opens our eyes 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:54.080 to our own weakness 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:56.580 and God's strength. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.559 We learn those things together, 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.080 don't we? 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.500 John Calvin says 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.519 in his Institutes 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.779 that that's how it works. 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.100 Knowledge of ourself 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.740 and knowledge of God 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:08.500 coming hand in hand. 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:10.339 They work together. 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:12.719 As we see our own emptiness 00:21:12.719 --> 00:21:14.000 and need, 00:21:14.199 --> 00:21:15.579 we see God's fullness 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.500 and provision 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:18.240 at the same time. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.379 It's when we see 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:21.980 how incredibly worthy 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.059 of all worship 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:25.059 and glory God is 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:27.359 that we know clearly 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.519 that we are not 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:30.019 worthy of worship 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.359 and glory. 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.599 It's when we come 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.919 to the end of ourselves 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:36.420 that we begin to see God 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:39.340 for who He really is. 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.759 And that's what we can learn 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.400 from watching 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.940 Nebuchadnezzar's life. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:46.180 As amazing as were 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:48.220 all the signs and wonders 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.019 from God 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.420 that he had already seen, 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.259 there was too much 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:54.039 of himself left 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.060 to see God 00:21:55.060 --> 00:21:57.600 as the only true king. 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.500 God was impressive to him. 00:21:59.560 --> 00:22:00.380 He said as much, 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:00.860 didn't He? 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.759 But Nebuchadnezzar 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.940 was pretty good too. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:04.480 You know? 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:04.740 I mean, 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.279 as far as kings go, 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.160 He had a few things 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.940 going for Him. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.799 He'd done some 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:10.140 pretty powerful stuff. 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:13.299 And so God persists 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.920 in showing him 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.859 His beastliness 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:19.339 in all its ugliness, 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:21.160 in all its limitations, 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:24.480 until Nebuchadnezzar learns 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:26.420 that the Most High rules 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:27.779 the kingdom of man 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.000 and gives it 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.059 to whom He will. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.779 Three times that's repeated 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.079 in this passage. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:34.319 Until you learn 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:36.519 that heaven rules, 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.980 that Yahweh is not 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.319 one God among many, 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:43.379 but is the Most High God. 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:46.500 Just as the prince 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.119 in the movie 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.359 has to learn 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.279 as a beast 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:51.200 to love, 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.519 and that true beauty 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.639 lies within, 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.299 Nebuchadnezzar has to learn 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.159 as a beast 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:59.220 to bow, 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:01.680 and that true power 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:03.099 lies above. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.819 Nebuchadnezzar has to see 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:07.279 himself as nothing 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:09.440 to see God 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.619 as everything. 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:12.419 That's how he describes 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.460 all the inhabitants 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.200 of the earth 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.359 in verse 35. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:17.039 That includes him, right? 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:18.480 One of the inhabitants 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.960 of the earth, 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.240 he says, 00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:20.180 all of them 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.839 are accounted as nothing. 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:23.440 Nothing. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.299 They don't register 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:26.339 on God's scale 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.259 in the scheme 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.980 of powers 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.339 and of glorious rulers 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.899 and great kingdoms. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.579 Even the most powerful 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.919 are not on the chart. 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:36.240 Only God is king 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:38.299 and He will reign forever. 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.700 So if His kingdom 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.099 is everlasting, 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:46.720 mine never rules. 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:49.539 If all power 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.240 and authority 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.779 comes from Him, 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:54.319 mine is never 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.740 my own 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.660 to glory in. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.480 Are you willing 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:01.079 to see your beastliness 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:02.339 this morning? 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:04.440 Do you see the horror 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:05.360 of your own 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.500 self-focused 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.519 desires 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.440 and decisions 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:09.620 and what a life 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.180 built around 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.100 my glory 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.319 looks like? 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.819 Do you acknowledge 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:15.140 the absurdity 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.039 of your own 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.619 claims to control 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.859 and glory 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.940 that it makes 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.960 no sense 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.279 to think of ourselves 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.680 as strong? 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.000 If you're willing 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.720 in humility 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.899 to be completely 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.980 weak, 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.000 you will find 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.619 God 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:32.200 to be for you 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.339 immeasurably 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.460 strong. 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.740 And that's really 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.180 the beauty 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.960 of the gospel 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.579 of grace 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.460 that we see 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.720 on display 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.659 in this passage, 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.079 isn't it? 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:44.299 Perhaps the pride 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.539 and the depravity 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.899 of King Nebuchadnezzar 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:48.059 is not surprising 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.559 to you. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.440 Maybe you expected 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.079 that of him. 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.680 But the gracious 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.480 pursuit 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.740 of the King 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.159 of Heaven 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.779 certainly 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.659 is amazing. 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:58.079 We can't say 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:59.159 for certain here. 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.099 There are 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.339 some commentators 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.859 who take 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.700 Nebuchadnezzar's 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.240 statements 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.279 of praise 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.899 for God 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:05.659 in this story 00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:07.279 to be yet again 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.220 more examples 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.240 of his false 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.039 worship 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.440 just like the 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.440 statements we read 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.119 from earlier 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.899 in the book. 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.579 But I think 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.039 the evidence 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.259 is pretty strong 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.619 toward Nebuchadnezzar 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:20.359 finally and sincerely 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:21.879 bowing the knee 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.699 to Yahweh. 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:24.539 I think that's 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.359 what happens here. 00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:26.559 Regardless 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.979 of that reality, 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.879 what we can say 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.559 for certain 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.599 is that God 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.679 is amazingly 00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:32.379 gracious 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.639 to the guy 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.759 who all the way 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.439 through the first 00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:36.379 stories of this book 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:37.319 is his arch enemy 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.199 in these stories, 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.519 right? 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.559 Whose kingdom 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.299 is set up 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.659 against his. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.440 The king 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.000 deserves, 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.559 of course, 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.200 to remain 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.279 a beast forever. 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.639 Yet when Nebuchadnezzar 00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:50.460 acknowledges 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.579 God's greatness, 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.240 when his reason 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.059 returns 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.379 after some time, 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.639 perhaps seven years, 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.559 we don't know 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.079 for sure, 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.319 he's restored 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.359 to his senses 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:02.460 and to his throne. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.259 Look at verse 34. 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:06.019 At the end 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.720 of the days, 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.099 at the end 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.740 of my days 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.379 as a beast, 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.659 I, 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.279 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.819 lifted my eyes 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.379 to heaven 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.740 and in the moment 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.559 of me looking 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.420 up to heaven, 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:16.259 sanity comes. 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.319 Reason 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.299 returns 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.180 to me 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.019 when I look 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:22.279 up to heaven. 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:22.839 I bless 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.559 the Most High, 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.500 praised and honored 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.259 Him who lives 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.680 forever, 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:27.480 for it's His dominion 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.379 that's an everlasting 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.139 dominion 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:30.399 and His kingdom 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.059 that endures 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.799 from generation 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.539 to generation. 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.619 And at that same time 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.379 that my reason 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.319 returned to me 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.180 when I saw 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.299 things correctly, 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.899 for the glory 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:40.659 of my kingdom, 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.460 my majesty 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.240 and splendor 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.119 returned to me. 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.419 My counselors 00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:45.059 and lords 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.119 sought me again 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:46.899 as the king. 00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.980 I was established 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.700 in my kingdom 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.399 and even more 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:49.940 powerful, 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.960 even more greatness 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.919 added to me. 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.079 Nebuchadnezzar's 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.639 restored 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.839 and in fact 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.359 grows 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.759 after being a beast. 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.919 Wouldn't have seen 00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:00.500 that coming. 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.879 Consider the incredible 00:27:02.879 --> 00:27:03.619 grace 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.299 and patience 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.200 God shows 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.980 to this pagan king. 00:27:08.299 --> 00:27:09.480 Think about it 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.859 for a minute. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.859 Nebuchadnezzar 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.720 has brutally 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.359 murdered 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.359 the people 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.059 of God. 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.500 He has repeatedly 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.339 spurned 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.339 God's miracles. 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.839 He has sought 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.819 His own glory 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:21.079 above all else. 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.559 He has neglected 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.200 the poor 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.799 while living 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:25.099 a lavish lifestyle. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.339 He has built 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.379 monstrous idols 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:28.279 to be worshipped 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.980 by everyone. 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.119 He's done 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:31.000 everything 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.919 to earn 00:27:31.919 --> 00:27:32.639 the judgment 00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:33.899 of God. 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.220 Shouldn't God 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.279 give up on him? 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.319 Shouldn't He be 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.180 done with him? 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:41.659 That's not the heart 00:27:41.659 --> 00:27:42.220 of our God 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.579 is it? 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.859 His grace 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.379 reaches 00:27:45.379 --> 00:27:46.559 to love 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.859 those who seem 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:49.240 least deserving. 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.639 He delights 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.399 to display 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:52.039 the riches 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.079 of His grace 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.579 by pouring it out 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.579 on the spiritually 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.500 poorest 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:58.000 of men. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.859 You're not 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:01.119 beyond His grace 00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:02.099 this morning. 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.359 You're not. 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:03.980 No matter 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.859 what you've done, 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:06.139 no matter 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:07.519 how you feel, 00:28:08.219 --> 00:28:09.299 you're not beyond 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.039 the reach 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.559 of His grace. 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.859 Are you burdened 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.799 by the shame 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.659 of beastly 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.399 desires 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:19.439 and actions 00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:21.699 in your present 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:23.000 or your past? 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.039 Do you know 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.759 that reality 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.759 and it weighs you 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.299 down and you 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:28.119 can't even lift 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.899 your head? 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:30.799 Listen, 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:31.399 you need to know 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:31.879 Christianity 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:33.240 is not a religion 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.740 where the favor 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.340 of God 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.420 falls on those 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.000 who appear 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.060 most deserving. 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.560 Christianity 00:28:40.560 --> 00:28:41.700 is good news 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.880 that takes 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.600 beasts 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:45.140 and wretches 00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:47.000 and makes them 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.560 children 00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:48.900 of the King. 00:28:49.560 --> 00:28:50.200 That's what 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.920 the gospel, 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.860 the good news 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.880 of Jesus Christ 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.920 is all about. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:55.380 It's a situation 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.279 where the lost 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.060 are found 00:28:57.060 --> 00:28:58.279 and the blind 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.820 see not because 00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.340 they looked 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:01.420 inside themselves 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.300 and found 00:29:02.300 --> 00:29:03.860 the moral fortitude 00:29:03.860 --> 00:29:05.340 to earn God's 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:05.720 favor, 00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:06.960 to perform 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.039 just well enough 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.980 to deserve it, 00:29:09.800 --> 00:29:10.940 but because 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.800 they gave up 00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:13.820 on earning it 00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:15.000 and they looked 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.800 up to heaven 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:17.180 like Nebuchadnezzar 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.400 to receive 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.560 God's favor 00:29:19.560 --> 00:29:20.740 as a gift 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.400 that they could 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:21.960 never 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:23.440 have earned. 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.560 God relentlessly 00:29:25.560 --> 00:29:26.300 pursues 00:29:26.300 --> 00:29:26.980 the proud 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.600 king 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.220 until he 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.019 humbles him 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.039 and makes him 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.840 look to heaven 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:31.960 for help. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.360 That's how God 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.340 works, isn't it? 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.480 It's what he does 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.120 in our hearts. 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.200 God's grace 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.019 makes proud 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.019 people humble 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:40.820 and humble 00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:41.560 people his 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:42.039 children. 00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:43.960 He opposes 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.460 the proud 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.560 but gives grace 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.220 to the humble 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:46.860 we read. 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:48.200 And sometimes, 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.640 sometimes his grace 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:51.039 is so incredible 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.339 that it doesn't 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.559 just find 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.099 the humble 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.579 person 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.079 and come 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.480 meet him 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:55.659 there. 00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:56.680 Sometimes it 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.480 chases after 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.099 the proud 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.639 person 00:29:58.639 --> 00:30:00.259 and actually 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.339 turns him 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.180 into a humble 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.659 person 00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:03.680 then meets 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.339 that humble 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:04.759 person 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.599 and adopts 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.159 him as his 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:06.639 child. 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.319 And many of us 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.299 know that story 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.799 don't we? 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.899 We've experienced 00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:11.639 it firsthand 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:13.139 that his grace 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:14.159 has humbled 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:15.019 our prideful 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.359 hearts 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.139 and then 00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:17.220 in our lowest 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.240 point met us 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.339 there to say 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.299 but I love 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:20.660 you 00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:21.319 and you're 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:22.160 my child. 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.440 It's not 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:23.900 the great 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:24.839 king that I 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.859 wanted to adopt 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.640 it's the 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.319 humble 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.420 lowly 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.240 beast. 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.220 You I love 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.680 you're my 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.160 child. 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.279 Sometimes he 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.859 does that. 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.579 He allows us 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.140 to see our 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.519 emptiness 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:41.240 and then he 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.859 meets us 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.620 there empty 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.299 and gives 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.980 salvation 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:45.660 that's by grace 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.059 alone 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:47.220 nothing we 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.559 could have 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:47.880 earned. 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.500 Look how 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.420 Daniel reflects 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.020 that heart 00:30:50.020 --> 00:30:50.560 of God 00:30:50.560 --> 00:30:51.360 toward this 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:51.780 stubborn 00:30:51.780 --> 00:30:52.820 violent king 00:30:52.820 --> 00:30:53.240 in this 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:53.740 passage. 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:54.660 Daniel has 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.180 some bad 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:55.780 news to tell 00:30:55.780 --> 00:30:56.180 him doesn't 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:56.360 he? 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:58.260 Daniel because 00:30:58.260 --> 00:30:59.260 he knows 00:30:59.260 --> 00:30:59.980 the interpretation 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.900 of the dream 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.860 is dismayed 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.700 for a while 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.460 it tells us 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:03.800 I don't know 00:31:03.800 --> 00:31:04.320 how long 00:31:04.320 --> 00:31:05.220 Daniel doesn't 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.620 want to tell 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.040 the king. 00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:08.040 He has so 00:31:08.040 --> 00:31:08.920 much respect 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.780 for this 00:31:10.780 --> 00:31:11.540 pagan king 00:31:11.540 --> 00:31:12.080 that Daniel 00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:12.540 doesn't even 00:31:12.540 --> 00:31:13.220 want to deliver 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.760 the bad 00:31:13.760 --> 00:31:14.300 news. 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.180 Nebuchadnezzar 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.640 has to pull 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.040 it out of 00:31:17.040 --> 00:31:17.200 him. 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:18.160 And when 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.559 he does 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:19.200 Daniel says 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.019 my lord 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.500 may the 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.279 dream be 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.840 for those 00:31:21.840 --> 00:31:22.340 who hate 00:31:22.340 --> 00:31:23.019 you and 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.860 its interpretation 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.620 for your 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.000 enemies. 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.360 I don't want 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:26.920 this to be 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.539 true of you 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.080 it's bad 00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:28.460 news. 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.039 Then in 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:29.840 verse 27 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:31.059 after Daniel 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.720 tells him 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.600 the dream 00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.140 he says 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:34.000 listen king 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:35.039 hear my 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.759 heart for you 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.259 in light of 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.860 this terrible 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:37.600 dream you've 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:37.819 had. 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.580 Let my 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.220 counsel be 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.059 acceptable to 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.319 you. 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.200 Break off 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:41.819 your sins 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.600 by practicing 00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.200 righteousness 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.680 and your 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.200 iniquities 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:44.779 by showing 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.580 mercy to the 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.039 oppressed. 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:46.799 That there 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.379 may perhaps 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:47.699 be a 00:31:47.699 --> 00:31:48.139 lengthening 00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:48.500 of your 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.059 prosperity. 00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:50.319 Daniel cares 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.839 about this 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.399 guy doesn't 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.579 he? 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.819 He wants 00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:53.119 him to 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.659 prosper. 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.439 That makes 00:31:55.439 --> 00:31:56.279 no sense. 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.179 He realizes 00:31:58.179 --> 00:31:58.960 he has bad 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.779 news for the 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.220 king but 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.759 he's taken 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.379 to heart 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.599 the compassionate 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.619 and gracious 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.819 heart of 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.519 his God. 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.240 He desires 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.939 the welfare 00:32:07.939 --> 00:32:08.759 of even the 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.519 pagan king 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:09.919 who has 00:32:09.919 --> 00:32:10.599 persecuted 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.079 God's 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.719 people and 00:32:11.719 --> 00:32:12.379 spurned 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:13.179 God 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:14.119 himself. 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.819 In doing 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.399 this Daniel 00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:17.219 reflects the 00:32:17.219 --> 00:32:18.299 call of the 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.219 prophet Jeremiah 00:32:19.219 --> 00:32:20.000 who tells 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.919 the exiles 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:22.000 to seek the 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.759 welfare of 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.399 the land in 00:32:23.399 --> 00:32:23.759 which they 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.419 live to 00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:25.219 pray for 00:32:25.219 --> 00:32:25.919 it to 00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:26.579 work for 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.339 its blessing 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.799 and that 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.159 of its 00:32:28.159 --> 00:32:28.919 people. 00:32:29.439 --> 00:32:29.719 And so 00:32:29.719 --> 00:32:30.179 Daniel 00:32:30.179 --> 00:32:30.939 remarkably 00:32:30.939 --> 00:32:32.480 offers life 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:32.799 through 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.419 repentance 00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:34.339 to a 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:34.819 king who 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.459 has already 00:32:35.459 --> 00:32:36.279 ordered the 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.099 death of 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.859 him and 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.579 his friends. 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:39.659 Amazing. 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.660 But that's 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.160 the heart 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:42.120 of God 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:43.060 reflected 00:32:43.060 --> 00:32:44.320 in his 00:32:44.320 --> 00:32:44.660 servant. 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:46.840 Do you 00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:47.460 reflect that 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.060 same heart? 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:49.880 Do you 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:50.420 pray for 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.060 and seek 00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:51.840 the salvation 00:32:51.840 --> 00:32:52.360 of your 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:52.740 enemies? 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.360 Goodness. 00:32:55.300 --> 00:32:55.759 I struggle 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.100 with my 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.640 friends. 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.040 Who needs 00:32:59.040 --> 00:32:59.700 to hear the 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.259 hope of the 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.120 gospel from 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:01.519 you? 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.400 Whom have 00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:02.820 you given 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:03.500 up on 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.640 assuming he's 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.420 so arrogant 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.240 and so 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.100 stubborn that 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:07.720 he's beyond 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.500 the reach of 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.000 God's 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.640 grace? 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:09.820 grace? 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.660 Who needs 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.259 to know 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:12.940 the message 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.700 of repentance? 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.740 There is yet 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.779 time to turn 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.840 from her own 00:33:16.840 --> 00:33:17.540 attempts at 00:33:17.540 --> 00:33:18.480 control and 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.300 look to 00:33:19.300 --> 00:33:19.720 heaven. 00:33:21.060 --> 00:33:21.720 That's the 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.220 heart of our 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.500 God that we 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.320 are called as 00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:25.259 his people to 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.060 reflect. 00:33:26.840 --> 00:33:27.660 What we see 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.140 about him 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.960 particularly in 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.779 this passage, 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.040 we learn about 00:33:31.040 --> 00:33:31.860 God here is 00:33:31.860 --> 00:33:32.820 that his grace 00:33:32.820 --> 00:33:34.279 extends to 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:35.340 his proudest, 00:33:35.800 --> 00:33:37.320 most hardened 00:33:37.320 --> 00:33:38.140 enemies. 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.779 You don't 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.120 get a much 00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:41.960 better example 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:43.120 than Nebuchadnezzar. 00:33:43.540 --> 00:33:44.100 For depth 00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:44.980 of depravity, 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.740 for years 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.620 of resistance, 00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:48.320 the Bible 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.300 offers few 00:33:49.300 --> 00:33:50.440 worse characters 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:51.480 than this 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.440 king of 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:52.900 Babylon, 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.120 but God's 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:55.080 grace knows 00:33:55.080 --> 00:33:56.279 no bounds 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:57.340 and it 00:33:57.340 --> 00:33:58.680 restores even 00:33:58.680 --> 00:34:00.040 the beastly 00:34:00.040 --> 00:34:00.880 king. 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:00.980 king. 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:04.000 I didn't 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.400 read you the 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.520 whole prologue 00:34:05.520 --> 00:34:06.820 to Beauty 00:34:06.820 --> 00:34:07.420 and the Beast 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:07.980 at the 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.640 beginning. 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.840 There's one 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.500 more sentence. 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.860 After saying 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.660 that if the 00:34:15.660 --> 00:34:16.460 prince couldn't 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.420 learn to love 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.260 and be loved 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:19.260 in time, 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.860 he would 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:21.119 remain a beast 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.660 forever, 00:34:22.200 --> 00:34:22.720 it ends 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:23.260 this way. 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:25.680 As the 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.500 years passed, 00:34:27.220 --> 00:34:27.700 he fell 00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.660 into despair 00:34:28.660 --> 00:34:29.720 and lost 00:34:29.720 --> 00:34:30.480 all hope. 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.720 For who 00:34:32.720 --> 00:34:33.120 could ever 00:34:33.120 --> 00:34:34.840 learn to 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.220 love a 00:34:35.220 --> 00:34:35.580 beast? 00:34:37.660 --> 00:34:38.520 Who 00:34:38.520 --> 00:34:39.340 could love 00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:40.500 a beast? 00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:42.320 Have you 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:42.740 ever asked 00:34:42.740 --> 00:34:43.400 that question 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:45.220 about yourself 00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:48.080 in your 00:34:48.080 --> 00:34:48.700 shame, 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.400 a particular 00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:51.380 moment or 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.760 season of 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:53.880 discouragement, 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.340 being aware 00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:55.820 of your 00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.519 failures? 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:58.400 Have you 00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:58.940 ever wondered 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.680 that towards 00:34:59.680 --> 00:35:00.420 someone else 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.820 that you 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.420 don't seem 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:01.800 to be able 00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:02.559 to find it 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:02.820 in your 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.380 own heart 00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.400 to love 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.380 such a 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:05.740 beast, 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:06.519 to care for 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:06.900 them and 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.780 want their 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.180 good? 00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:08.579 Who 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:10.099 could love 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.460 a beast? 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:13.300 Praise 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:13.780 God. 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:14.840 Our 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:15.460 gracious, 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:16.840 faithful, 00:35:17.160 --> 00:35:17.860 forgiving, 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:18.800 patient 00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:20.519 king does 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:21.539 love people 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.519 like that 00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:23.159 and people 00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:24.340 like us. 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.719 And just 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:26.039 as the 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.539 beast is 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.320 restored to 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:27.980 a prince 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.360 in the 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:28.679 movie, 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.659 I believe 00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.179 that thanks 00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:30.480 to the 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.159 incredible, 00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:32.480 undeserved, 00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:33.480 persistent 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:34.259 love of 00:35:34.259 --> 00:35:34.659 God, 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.759 Nebuchadnezzar 00:35:35.759 --> 00:35:36.619 is restored 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:37.500 to being 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.139 not merely 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:38.940 an earthly 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.679 king over 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.739 Babylon again, 00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:41.980 but a 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.420 prince, 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:43.820 a child 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.300 of the 00:35:44.300 --> 00:35:45.119 true king 00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:46.340 over heaven 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:46.880 and earth 00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:48.300 because there's 00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:49.619 grace for 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.160 beasts 00:35:50.160 --> 00:35:52.860 and arrogant 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.519 leaders 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:55.700 and short 00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:56.140 tempered 00:35:56.140 --> 00:35:56.680 parents 00:35:56.680 --> 00:35:59.079 and selfish 00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.660 kids. 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:01.920 Grace that 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.660 finally takes 00:36:02.660 --> 00:36:03.180 our hearts 00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:03.640 from their 00:36:03.640 --> 00:36:04.559 self-centered 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.840 bent and 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.980 focus and 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.860 turns them to 00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.740 heaven to 00:36:08.740 --> 00:36:10.440 see God as 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.500 the supremely 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.200 valuable, 00:36:12.760 --> 00:36:13.760 the supremely 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.720 powerful, 00:36:14.719 --> 00:36:16.419 the supremely 00:36:16.419 --> 00:36:17.359 gracious 00:36:17.359 --> 00:36:19.239 king that 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:20.059 we all so 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:20.859 desperately 00:36:20.859 --> 00:36:21.980 need. 00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:23.319 Let's pray. 00:36:29.879 --> 00:36:30.739 God, would 00:36:30.739 --> 00:36:31.459 you turn our 00:36:31.459 --> 00:36:32.219 eyes there this 00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:32.539 morning? 00:36:33.839 --> 00:36:34.939 If we can't 00:36:34.939 --> 00:36:35.739 see ourselves 00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.339 for who we 00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:36.759 are, might 00:36:36.759 --> 00:36:37.779 we see you 00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:40.239 as supremely 00:36:40.239 --> 00:36:41.419 valuable and 00:36:41.419 --> 00:36:42.519 powerful and 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:44.399 gracious as 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.059 the king 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:46.460 who delights 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.820 to love 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.579 and to 00:36:48.579 --> 00:36:49.559 restore 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.440 and to 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.200 forgive, 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:52.700 might that 00:36:52.700 --> 00:36:53.400 give us 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.300 an awareness 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:54.820 of our 00:36:54.820 --> 00:36:56.280 need for 00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:56.880 you to do 00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:57.380 that in 00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.139 our lives? 00:36:59.340 --> 00:37:00.039 Father, for 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:00.599 those of us 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.180 who can't 00:37:01.180 --> 00:37:01.920 see a God 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.599 like that 00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.200 at all, 00:37:03.280 --> 00:37:03.760 we've never 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.820 known love 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:05.440 like that, 00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:06.639 would seeing 00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:08.180 the beastliness 00:37:08.180 --> 00:37:08.820 of our 00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:09.300 hearts, 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:11.039 the selfishness 00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:11.539 of the way 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.139 we treat 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:12.639 others, 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:14.059 the emptiness 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:14.879 of trying 00:37:14.879 --> 00:37:15.420 to make 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.219 life all 00:37:16.219 --> 00:37:17.379 about us, 00:37:17.819 --> 00:37:18.480 might in 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:19.299 that moment 00:37:19.299 --> 00:37:19.940 that give 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.859 us a vision 00:37:20.859 --> 00:37:22.179 for your 00:37:22.179 --> 00:37:23.039 glory, that 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.659 there is 00:37:23.659 --> 00:37:24.159 something 00:37:24.159 --> 00:37:24.779 worthwhile 00:37:24.779 --> 00:37:25.940 and someone 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:27.819 worthy of 00:37:27.819 --> 00:37:28.319 all of our 00:37:28.319 --> 00:37:28.980 praise. 00:37:30.219 --> 00:37:30.739 Oh, Father, 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:31.859 do that work 00:37:31.859 --> 00:37:32.960 in our hearts 00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:34.480 by your grace 00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:35.079 because it's 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:35.739 the thing that 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.480 you love to 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:36.759 do. 00:37:37.379 --> 00:37:37.879 Would your 00:37:37.879 --> 00:37:38.699 grace be 00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.539 strong and 00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:40.819 powerful in 00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:41.280 our hearts 00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:41.640 today? 00:37:41.760 --> 00:37:42.200 We ask 00:37:42.200 --> 00:37:42.620 it in 00:37:42.620 --> 00:37:42.900 Jesus' 00:37:43.140 --> 00:37:43.380 name. 00:37:44.080 --> 00:37:44.400 Amen. 00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:49.019 For more 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:49.539 information, 00:37:49.820 --> 00:37:50.340 visit us 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:51.240 online at 00:37:51.240 --> 00:37:52.120 southwood.org.