Got Humility? Got Mercy? Aug. 10, 2005 |
Today's Topic is Got Humility? Got Mercy? Dan 4:27 NLT " `O King Nebuchadnezzar, please listen to me. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past by being merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.' The passage above is an exert of Daniel's plea to King Nebuchadnezzar to change his wicked ways. Daniel was trying to help the king avoid the fate predicted to him through a dream. Here's how the situation turned out: Dan 4:28-33 NLT 28 "But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, `Just look at this great city of Babylon! I, by my own mighty power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence and as an expression of my royal splendor.' 31 "While he was still speaking these words, a voice called down from heaven, `O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.' 33 "That very same hour the prophecy was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles' feathers and his nails were like birds' claws. One day I had a conversation with an associate pastor about the gift of mercy. I had just taken a spiritual gifts test and I noticed that I rated pretty low in the area of mercy. I thought that was kinda funny because it was fairly accurate. During this conversation, I mentioned smirkishly that I was low in the mercy category and he said to me, "I sure hate to see how the Lord is going to teach it to you." That statement stayed with me. It truly got my attention. I don't want the Lord to have to teach me like He did King Nebuchadnezzar! I'd much rather ask the Lord to change my heart rather than suffer because I refused to change. Nebuchadnezzar's pride and lack of mercy is what caused God to deal with him so harshly. He had to learn mercy and humility when he was forced to live like a wild animal for seven years because he refused to heed God's warnings. If you are struggling in the areas of humility and mercy or any of the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians chapter 5, then I say the same to you. "I sure hate to see how the Lord is going to teach it to you." Pray and ask the Lord to change your heart today. Dan 4:34 NLT "After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. 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. I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray Scripture References Gal 5:22 NLT But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Hebrews 12:6 KJV For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Revelation 3:19 KJV As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. |