All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king said, "Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital to my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?" While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: "O King Nebcuhadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom has departed from you! You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will." Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feather and his nails became like birds’ claws.

When that period was over, I Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me.

I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored the one who lives forever. For his sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:28-34

We are inclined to dream our way through life until someone or something confronts us with the real world.

Father, wake us up today. Make us aware of what it means to live under Your wise and loving authority.

A person who thinks too much of himself thinks too little of God.

Our Daily Bread – May 7, 2004