Nebuchadnezzar

And now for a final reference, we turn to Dan. 4 where we read about a remarkable experience in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar. He was truly a great man. He was a great military general, having conquered the then-known world. He was a great engineer, having masterminded the building of Babylon with its huge protecting walls towering to a height of 300 feet and having a breadth of 75 feet. He was a great architect, having designed the hanging gardens which were to become known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. He had one problem, however. It was "I" trouble. We read of it in Dan. 4:30. "The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?”
Nebuchadnezzar did not know that there was a God who could discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. He did not know that He was a jealous God, not taking lightly anyone who exalted himself to the heavens. As the story unfolds, we find Nebuchadnezzar becomes an unwilling student in God's school. God is the instructor and the lesson is found in verse 32, "And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.”
So Nebuchadnezzar became as the wild beasts, his hair became like eagle feathers, his nails like animal claws, and every morning his body was wet with the dew of heaven. Nebuchadnezzar learned well and the last verse tells of the great change that came into his life. "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase." v. 37. Notice especially verse 2 of this same chapter, "I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath WROUGHT toward me.”
So, whereas the old Nebuchadnezzar liked nothing better than to promenade on the balcony of his palace and contemplate the greatness of what he had wrought, the new Nebuchadnezzar delighted in what God had wrought in him.
These four references to four individuals have highlighted four aspects which should be a part of the Christian experience.
First: There is the outward look which recognizes the physical environment, of which we are a part, as the result of God's power in creation.
Second: There is the inward look which recognizes that the power of God is still acting to change men's lives.
Third: There is the present appreciation and enjoyment of God's fellowship and communion in the secret pavilion of His providing.
Fourth: There is the anticipation of a personal participation in the events of the Church's resurrection, God's grand display of His mighty power.
It is interesting to notice that each of these four aspects can be punctuated, as it were, by those four words which Balaam, a heathen prophet, uttered so long ago: "WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT!"