Daniel
July 28
Daniel 4:18, 24-34
The king eats grass
King Nebuchadnezzar had a strange dream that even his wisest advisors could not figure out. Eventually, the king called Daniel and told him the dream. When Daniel heard what the king had dreamt, he was afraid to tell him what it meant, but the king insisted that Daniel tell him the meaning of his dream.
“You will be driven away from people to go and live with wild animals,” Daniel said. “For seven years you will eat grass out in the field and have no shelter. Then you will realize that God controls all the kingdoms of the world.”
Daniel’s words came true immediately. King Nebuchadnezzar was driven out from among his people. After seven long years, the king’s mind became normal again and he started praising God and giving Him glory.
How can a bad experience lead us to God?
Imagine eating dry grass! You would have to be very hungry before grass starts looking tasty. People aren’t meant to eat grass! Grass is for cattle and sheep—unless of course, like Nebuchadnezzar, you need to become as humble as a cow or as dependent as a sheep.
Jesus told the story of the son who rebelled against his father and left home to have a good life. He spent all the money on wild parties and sinful living. But when his money ran out, he needed to work and ended up feeding pigs. Eventually, he was so hungry that even the pigs’ food started looking good (see Luke 15:11-20).
King Nebuchadnezzar, and the son who left home, rebelled against their father. They wanted to do their own thing and not rely on God. They wanted to run their lives in their own way and make their own decisions.
When we run from God our Father, He still loves us very much and longs to have us back home as part of His family. That is why He sometimes makes bad things happen—to bring us to our senses.
Verse for today
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
