A Changed Heart

Text

Daniel 4:28–37 NKJV

28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” 33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

Intro

Life and Leaders

If was a most unusual move.

Corporations typically look through their corner office windshield to hire the best and brightest to sit in the CEO’s seat. They RARELY look in their rear-view mirror to find a leader who used to lead and ask him to lead again.

But Apple did just that in 1996. Steve Jobs founded the tech giant we all know as Apple. If you have any electronic device that starts with a lowercase “i”, Steve Jobs’ creative fingerprints are all over it.

But business was not always booming at Apple. After some complaints and conflicts, the board of Apple sided with their CEO - whom Steve Jobs recruited - and removed Jobs from their computer division!

In a speech he made at Stanford University twenty years later, he remarked, “I was out - and very publicly out… What had been the entire focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating… I was a very public failure.”

But in 1996, Apple was found struggling. And they observed Jobs’ new up-and-coming company, saw they had to purchase it, and returned him to his CEO seat one year later.

From that seat, Steve Jobs steered Apple to the iPod to the iPhone to the iPad.

Long before Apple rose and fell and rose again, Babylon faced a similar power struggle. God had ousted Nebuchadnezzar due to his pride, but when he repented and realized God was in charge, not him, God restored his sanity and mental ability.

And when Babylon went looking for their next king, they found their previous king, and set the crown back on his head. Life has a way of making leaders better leaders, even if leaders need to take time to learn more by leading less.

Body

Contemplating The Topic

William stood alone in the hall as his classmates participated in mandatory prayer before class.

When William’s mother, Madalyn Murray O’Hair, realized the scenario, she filed suit against the school system because of her stance against God. The dispute and the follow-up lawsuit eventually reached the United States Supreme Court.

In his book My Life Without God, William J. Murray revealed that after having been manipulated by his mother for many years, followed by a devastating life of alcoholism, he finally found freedom and healing at the age of thirty-three.

He took a stand in direct opposition to his mother’s cause, announcing he was indeed a believer in God.

William then established the non-profit organization Religion Freedom Coalition, based in Washington, D.C., which pushes for the defense and preservation fo America’s Christian heritage and monitors Christian persecution in other countries.

My, how things can change!!!

Searching The Scriptures

Some people are deemed beyond redemption because of their anti-God actions or worldly appearance.

We need to be careful about picking up that type of mindset.

In spite of our presumptions, God has a way of showing us that no matter the outward manifestation of rejecting God, He still loves and draws everyone to Himself!

It’s hard to imagine those who are mindless and careless toward the things of God standing in the presence of God with hands raised, worshiping the one they used to mock. But the biblical account of Nebuchadnezzar is a great reminder that God can take the hardened heart of the most unlikely person and soften it toward Him!

Nebuchadnezzar Had A Second Dream

Background

Nebuchadnezzar was familiar with dreams sent from God.

His first recorded dream was an opportunity for God to bring Daniel to the forefront and interpret God’s intention for Babylon (Daniel 2).

After this second memorable, frightful dream, King Nebuchadnezzar called all his wise men together in order to reveal the interpretation. He shared the dream with magicians, astrologers, enchanters (witches), and diviners (fortune tellers), expecting them to interpret his dream.

But he was looking for answers in the wrong places. These men were not believers in the one true God and they didn’t have answers for the king.

Finally, Daniel was called. And he was the only one able to interpret the dream. Although Daniel was a captive in a foreign land, God put him in the right place at the right time.

Because Daniel was able to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream, he was aware that Daniel had a connection with the spirit world. It’s hard to understand why he did not call Daniel first; but after all his searching, God’s servant was the one with whom Nebuchadnezzar found answers and the true interpretation of his dream.

A Tall Tree Was Cut Down

So Nebuchadnezzar explained his dream to Daniel.

He saw a very large tree growing healthy and lush in the middle of the earth. It reached high into the sky and provided a place for birds to build their nests. It sheltered animals on the ground from the beating sun, and the ripe fruit from the branches provided food for all the living creatures.

Then, a messenger appeared from Heaven and declared that the tree was to be cut down and all the leaves and vegetation were to be stripped and scattered.

The stump and roots were to be left in the ground and bound with a chain to the earth, but the rest of the tree was destroyed. Then he saw the stump become like a wild beast - wet with dew on its back - running in a pack with the wild animals for seven periods of time.

At the end of his dream the purpose was revealed:

Daniel 4:17 NKJV

17 ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.’

A Man’s Heart Into A Beast’s Heart

It was about a year later that Nebuchadnezzar, while strolling through his palace, became puffed up with pride as he thought what a mighty, amazing man he had become, having built such an incredible kingdom in Babylon.

His kingdom was rich, powerful, and had become a resource for other countries that were in need.

But, his pride became his downfall.

His words are recorded in Daniel 4:

Daniel 4:30 NKJV

30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”

Immediately the prophecy from the dream came to pass, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from his palace to live among the beasts in the field for a period of seven times.

Some scholars suggest seven times is meaning seven years. Others say it is referring to seven seasons.

Whatever length of time it was, God chose to allow this to happen. It was enough to change the hardened, prideful heart of the king into a humble, tender heart for God.

God Has The Power To Change The Hearts Of Men

We should never underestimate the wisdom of God.

He knows what it takes to change the heart of an individual.

It is in the nature of humanity - because of sin - to be prideful and self-indulgent. And only God can bring us to face our failures, confess our sin, and seek His salvation.

A change of mind begins with a change of heart, and God’s grace leads us to repentance and change.

Daniel Interpreted The King’s Dream

The Tree Represented The King

No doubt, Nebuchadnezzar woke up troubled and confused about this dream. He knew it meant something significant but couldn’t interpret it on his own.

After looking for answers and finding none, he eventually learned the true interpretation from Daniel.

At first when Daniel heard the dream, he was afraid to tell the king because of what it would mean for Nebuchadnezzar. But the king assured him of personal safety and asked that he would reveal the meaning.

Daniel told the king that he wished the dream referred to the king’s enemies and to those who hated him. Unfortunately for the king, the true interpretation revealed that the tree represented the king himself.

He would be great and powerful for a time but would eventually be reduced to nothing. He would be driven into the fields with the animals and have the mind of a beast for a period of time.

The stump of the tree and the roots in the earth were a sign that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom would be restored to him after he acknowledged that it was God who ruled his kingdom.

Daniel beseeched the king to repent and humble himself before God so that this would not come upon him.

His Enemies Would Drive Him From His Kingdom

The interpretation also revealed how Nebuchadnezzar would be driven from his palace by his enemies.

He may have had to run for his life, or may have been driven out because of an altered mind, thinking more like a beast than a man. Whatever the case, the prophecy was fulfilled, and his enemies forced him from his throne to wander the fields like an animal.

Nebuchadnezzar Must Find Humility And Let God Change His Heart

Nebuchadnezzar had had a dream that no one could interpret. Daniel not only interpreted that dream, but God allowed him to discern the dream the king couldn’t remember. It was an amazing thing that none of the astrologers, fortunetellers, or enchanters could achieve.

In this act, God was reaching for the heart of Nebuchadnezzar. He was giving him dreams, performing miracles, and tugging on his heart.

We may not see the potential of Nebuchadnezzar, but God saw something in this heathen king that kept Him from giving up on him.

God’s power was clear and on display when Nebuchadnezzar watched Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego coming out of a fiery furnace unburnt:

Daniel 3:27 NKJV

27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

And although Nebuchadnezzar seemed to understand who the living God was, he still reverted to his false gods:

Daniel 3:28 NKJV

28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!

But our text today shows that the ultimate test for the king appears to have been successful. Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledged the power of the true living God after he recovered from the sentence given in his dream.

We Must Let God Change Our Hearts

Even in the way that the king was, God was reaching for him.

God is always merciful and loving toward us:

Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

And so the desire of God is to draw near to us. He doesn’t give up easily, but we have to be willing to allow that change to happen.

And as God draws near to us, things begin to change. The things we used to do that are unpleasing to Him no longer entice us. We must lay them down and let them go as we submit to the process of change. (The Transformation of a Pearl)

Our desires, appetites, and longings will begin to lean toward Him as our hearts begin to soften. (“Put off the old man… put on the new man!” “Behold all things are become new...”)

We have to let God get ahold of our hearts!

And we need to continue to let Him tug at our hearts!

The Dream Came To Pass

Nebuchadnezzar Became Prideful

So God continually reached for Nebuchadnezzar before he was finally willing to change.

In the previous chapters, we see how God used His people to help the king see the error of his ways. God was trying to turn Nebuchadnezzar’s heart away from false gods, idols, and pagan worship toward the one true living God.

None of Nebuchadnezzar’s gods could hear or answer prayer; none could deliver as God had delivered the three Hebrew men from the fiery furnace; none could save, heal, or deliver because these gods did not really exist.

And unfortunately, Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was full of pride. He took credit when it was not earned. What he did not fully realize was that all he had been given was from God. His kingdom was flourishing because of the blessings of God.

The king was responsible for destroying Jerusalem, killing thousands of Jews, and taking the strongest and best captives back to Babylon.

Times were challenging for the children of God, but He had not forsaken them. In this strange land, God was taking care of His children. It is possible that Nebuchadnezzar actually reaped blessings in his kingdom because God’s children were present, and it had nothing to do with his superior leadership or insightful direction.

There is no doubt that this evil king suffered from pride - it was always about him and never about God. Nebuchadnezzar had a hard time acknowledging God’s part in his success.

His Kingdom Was Taken From Him

Because of Nebuchadnezzar’s haughty attitude and prideful spirit, God stepped in and caused Nebuchadnezzar’s enemies to drive him from his palace.

There is much speculation as to who these enemies were. It could have been dissent in his own kingdom - perhaps he had already shown signs of mental illness and was replaced by the second in command.

It’s unfortunate that Nebuchadnezzar had many good things taken away from him because of the hardness of his heart.

Pride robs us of the blessings God wants to give us. If we are humble and give Him the glory for every good gift, we will see his hand of favor on our lives:

James 4:6 NKJV

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

God-Given Dreams Will Come To Pass

The king’s dream was not due to a little too much pizza for supper. God had chosen to deal with Nebuchadnezzar through several dreams.

The dreams he received from God each had a message, and they always came to pass.

Although Daniel was forced to live in Babylon as a captive, God had a plan for him in that godless land. Eventually Daniel’s unwavering walk wit God played a part in Nebuchadnezzar’s spiritual transformation.

Nebuchadnezzar Turned To God In The End

He Honored God And Remained Humble

At the beginning of Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar gave all glory to God. It seems he had experienced the punishment of God and told the story to others so they could learn from his mistakes.

After giving God glory, he launched into the story of his dream. He was honest in revealing the condition of his heart at the beginning of this experience. He admitted that he took all the credit for the great kingdom he had built.

You’ll notice that at the beginning of his testimony, he often used the words “the gods.” After wandering tragically out of his mind with wild beasts, he finally acknowledged the “King of heaven” to be the one who is worthy of worship:

Daniel 4:37 NKJV

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

Not only did he acknowledge and honor God, but he also recognized the fairness of God’s judgment and how He deals with those who have a prideful heart.

God Brings Down The Prideful

The Word of God warns us to guard against a spirit of pride:

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride can appear in us when we least expect it. And the temptation of pride is common among all humanity. It is frequently seen in our world.

And pride is sin. God will not tolerate it. We have to fight against the spirit of pride so we can be in communion with God.

Nebuchadnezzar serves as an example of someone who struggled with pride all the way to the very point of destruction. Perhaps it was the prayers of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, or other Jews in captivity that sustained Nebuchadnezzar until he finally understood that pride was destroying him.

We should learn from his experience; it is better to deal with pride at the first onset than to struggle with its consequences.

God Honors The Humble

In the book of Isaiah, God said He would restore the crushed spirit of the humble.

And when circumstances around us begin to turn badly, we can’t stand in defiance, shaking our fists at God. He resists the proud, but He runs to those who are humble, even in adversity.

Staying humble before God - even in difficult times - brings a special moving of His reviving power.

Conclusion

Internalizing The Message

Let me tell you something today: there is a great value in a humble heart. God can work with a spirit of humility.

If we find ourselves unable to submit to the authority of the Word of God, we need to take a closer look inside our hearts and see if pride is there.

If pride is the issue, we need to pray and ask God to forgive us and replace our prideful hearts with hearts of humility.

God is the only one who can change a heart filled with pride into a loving, humble, obedient heart.

And if God can take the heart of a vile… wicked king like Nebuchadnezzar… and turn it into a humble, thankful, obedient heart… He can do the same for each of us!