An attribute is a quality or characteristic for which a person is known. We're going to explore several attributes of God over the next few weeks. I'm glad you're joining us!
We’ve already addressed this attribute of God, the fact of His sovereignty, but since it’s repeated throughout scripture, and one that we of today’s culture of independence need help understanding, we’re addressing it again.
Can you imagine looking at God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and saying to Him,
“What do you mean by doing this?“
Now, the guy who said these words recorded in Daniel 4:35 knew a thing or two about worshiping gods and being worshiped as a god. See, these words weren’t spoken by the prophet, they were spoken by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He was accustomed to worshiping Marduk, the chief god of Babylon and the national god of Babylonia. However, he had just endured having God wrench his kingdom from his hands, take his brilliant mind from him, drive him from human society, and make him live in the fields with the wild animals, eating grass like the cattle there.
Say what?
Exactly.
Nebchadnezzar was an arrogant fellow, thinking he was all that and a bag of chips. As a military leader, he was used to his words being followed as law. He ruled with an iron fist, expecting zero pushback.
God let old Neb know that he wasn’t everything the press made him out to be by giving him that time living out in the field long enough for his hair to grow as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails to the length of birds’ claws. “Until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses” God said.
Arrogant Neb bragged on his military acumen and claimed the honors for all he had accomplished, denouncing that Jehovah could have done any of it. He mocked God and paid the price. After Nebuchadnezzar was returned to his right mind, he spoke these words,
My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
It took some time and some hard circumstances, but Nebuchadnezzar, the man deemed the greatest king of that time, learned and declared that God is THE Sovereign Ruler and that no one can question Him. That’s huge.
For a man who conquered numerous nations and ruled over an enormous number of people to recognize that HE was not the true sovereign was incredible. For him to recognize that Marduk was not God was insane. For him to praise and worship the God of the Jews was unheard of. And yet, that’s exactly what He did.
What’s that mean for us today? It may mean that we need to evaluate our thinking processes. We may need to look deep into our core beliefs to find out if we think we have a right to ask God “What do you mean by doing these things?”
Are we so wrapped up in today’s culture of individual rights that we think we can stand up and shake our fists at God in defiance of His rule? Do we consider ourselves the arbiters of justice and fairness? Have we placed ourselves on the throne of God, even a little?
When you watch this video, does it make you cringe over some of your choices?
There’s good news. God gave Nebuchadnezzar the chance to change his mind about who is in charge — him or God. He gives you that option as well. If you’ve been trying to share the throne with God, admit that and make the continual choice to step back and allow Him to have the full seat that is His anyway. Because He is sovereign, His choices and decisions are perfect for you.
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