“King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.” Daniel 1:1-3
The introduction is written by none other than the king himself. Here is a monarch at the peak of his popularity, giving a universal declaration. If he had lived in our day, his testimony would have gone out on social media and the 24/7 cable news networks. The testimony was very personal. He was not talking about what God did in somebody else’s life, but what God had done toward him. He didn’t stand at a podium and mumble; he shared his testimony with enthusiasm. He wanted the whole world to know what God had done for him. There are some that reject chapter 4 of Daniel without exception assume that the account is not inspired of the Holy Spirit, that an experience like Nebuchadnezzar’s is essentially incredible, and that it is a myth rather than an authentic historical record. I believe that chapter 4 is credible and it was in the Bible because the Holy Spirit directed it to be there. I know in my studying of the Bible there has been scripture that as I studied the scripture I was not sure if it was of the Holy Spirit, but as I prayed and studied God assured me that all of God’s Word was there for a reason. “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Before we get too deep into this chapter, I want us to look at true repentance and pride.