Opening Prayer
In the Bible, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon reigned from 605 to 562 BCE. He is prominently featured in the books of Daniel and Jeremiah, where he is depicted as a powerful ruler who conquered Jerusalem and brought the Jewish people into Babylonian exile. His reign is also associated with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
There was once a king so powerful… God humbled him by making him eat grass like an animal. This is the true story of King Nebuchadnezzar from Daniel 4 — a ruler who forgot where his power came from. If you’ve ever been mistreated by someone in authority… If you’ve ever wondered whether God sees your pain… Let this story remind you: God still humbles the proud. And He still defends the humble. “Those who walk in pride, He is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:37
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Daniel 4:34–37
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever…” (Daniel 4:34, NIV)
The Power and Pride of a King: Nebuchadnezzar’s story is not just about a king — it’s about every heart that struggles with pride, control, and the illusion of self-sufficiency.
Beginning with a brief historical background: Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon, one of the most powerful empires in ancient history.
Highlighting his accomplishments (e.g., the Hanging Gardens, his military conquests).
Transitioning to his spiritual condition: a man with great power who had not yet recognized the true source of that power.
Daniel and his friends are taken captive. God gives Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2 reveals God’s overarching sovereignty over kingdoms. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God—but only as Daniel’s God, not his own (Daniel 2:47).
Many acknowledge God intellectually or situationally but haven’t surrendered personally. The Idol of Pride and the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3)
Nebuchadnezzar builds a golden image — an act of arrogance. He demands worship and faces off with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
God delivers them from the fire. Again, Nebuchadnezzar praises God — but doesn’t change his own heart. Witnessing God’s power isn’t enough. Real change requires personal humility and surrender.
Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a great tree cut down — Daniel warns him. In his pride, Nebuchadnezzar says: “Is not this the great Babylon I have built… by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” God humbles him: he loses his sanity, becomes like an animal. After a time of brokenness, Nebuchadnezzar looks to heaven — and is restored. “Those who walk in pride He is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:37) God may allow us to be broken not to destroy us, but to save us. Humility is the doorway to restoration.
Nebuchadnezzar ends his testimony with worship: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven…”
This is the only place in Scripture where a pagan king writes part of the Bible (Daniel 4 is written in first person).
God doesn’t need our perfection — He desires our surrender. Once King Nebuchadnezzarfull was full of pride thinking all of the good things God had given him were achieved by his own power. God tells that all good things come down from above. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Daniel 4:1-18
King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! 2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 6 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 7 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) 9 I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. 10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. 13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. 14 He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. 17 “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ 18 “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
Psalms 146:3-5
Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.
“Do not put your trust in man” is a recurring theme in the Bible, underscoring the limitations of human beings and the supreme trustworthiness of God. It cautions against relying solely on people for guidance or salvation, as this often leads to disappointment and spiritual emptiness.
Human Limitations: Fallibility: Humans make mistakes and may break promises. Mortality: Their power is temporary and fleeting.
Inability to Save: No person can provide true spiritual salvation. God’s Reliability: Eternal and Unchanging: Unlike humans, God is constant and fully trustworthy. True Source of Help: God alone offers lasting guidance, salvation, and fulfillment.
Psalm 146:3: “Put not your trust in princes…” Jeremiah 17:5: A warning against relying on human strength. Psalm 118:8-9: Trust in God is better than trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
This message doesn’t discourage human connection but urges us to prioritize trust in God, recognizing human flaws and limitations. In essence, it’s a call to anchor one’s faith in the divine, not in the imperfect and transient nature of humanity. Let each and everyone of us look up to Heaven, and from that place, may our hearts be transformed to Give God our obedience and faith.