The King’s Diary

“Never show your weakness” is an unwritten rule among those who aspire to have control over others. This chapter is extraordinarily self-revealing. It begins with a confession of faith, different in tone from the responses previously dragged out of the king in earlier chapters. For here, Nebuchadnezzar places himself below God and not alongside.

What has caused this huge shift in attitude, when everything in the king’s background would fight against it? To acknowledge God as the Lord is to make himself, for the first time, accountable to someone else and that means that all of his life is now under scrutiny.

So, Nebuchadnezzar tells his story. At first in the verses that follow we feel we are on familiar ground. Dreams and visions seem to be the normal currency of this king’s life. However, he never takes them for granted and they exercise a powerful hold on his emotions.

Once again control has been taken from him and he is at their mercy, not they at his. After the usual blank response from his paid advisers, he turns to Daniel. He knows he doesn’t have to test Daniel, for his integrity is well established. So the dream can be safely retold and the interpretation can be trusted.

A tree has replaced the statue of Chapter 2, but again it overshadows the landscape, rich in fruit. Instead of a rock comes a messenger, but the theme of destruction is similar. The hewn-down stump will testify of better days and a sad outcome. Suddenly the stump has bound to it a human mind in an animal form, a living witness that God is not to be mocked. The fear is palpable for the warning is clear, but the interpretation remains beyond the king’s understanding!

When life is worrying and confusing, God has promised to give wisdom to those who ask for it. (James 1:5) Don’t miss out on this wonderful offer.

Respond in Prayer

Father, Thank you for the gifts you have given me and for the areas of my life where I have been successful. I pray also that you will enable me to keep success and self-esteem in perspective. You are in control. May I live each day in your presence, following Jesus, who gave his life for me. I pray in his name, Amen.

Colin Sinclair