Truth is like a velvet covered brick. Honesty, while pleasing, can sometimes hit hard. A friend confesses that your careless words wounded them. Family members intervene and expose the destructive nature of your lifestyle. A fellow believer offers words of conviction in love.
In such cases we have a choice: We can humble ourselves, take responsibility for our actions, embrace and receive correction from the truth, or we can dismiss it and walk the path of pride. Scripture tells us God hates pride—it is an abomination to Him (Prov. 6:16–17). The Bible warns us that He will bring low the arrogance of men and humble their pride, for He alone is worthy to be exalted (Isa. 2:17).
King Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man of his time, had reason to be proud. He annihilated all opposition with his mighty army, amassed great wealth for himself, and built spectacular palaces and temples including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In his personal testimony recorded in Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar described himself as "contented and prosperous" (Dan. 4:4). But his was a false peace, an ungodly peace soon to be shaken.
The king had a vision that terrified him (Dan. 4:5). He saw a great tree, enormous in stature and visible from the ends of the earth. The tree was strong and beautiful, giving abundant fruit and providing shelter for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. (Dan. 4:10–12)
In his dream, a holy messenger from heaven decreed that the tree be cut down. It was to be stripped of its leaves, its fruit scattered. The animals and birds fled from it, and all that remained was its stump and roots. The herald then proclaimed the man this tree represented would be given the mind of an animal, and would live among them for seven years. (Dan. 4:13–16)
Nebuchadnezzar, after exhausting all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners at his disposal, calls on Daniel to interpret the dream for him (Dan. 4:6–8). He had seen impressive evidence of God's power in Daniel and his three friends (Dan. 1–3), but apparently had not yet been converted. In his pride, Nebuchadnezzar refused to acknowledge God's authority and only turned to Him after all his other options failed!
Daniel interprets the dream, though reluctantly. He obviously cares for this man, saying, "If only this dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!" (v. 19). Yet Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar the hard truth in love: "...you, O king, are that tree!" (v.22). Daniel explains that Nebuchadnezzar's greatness and power would be stripped from him until he acknowledged God's authority—only then would his kingdom be restored (v. 25–26).
How often do we shy away from speaking the truth in love for fear of how it will be received? But the truth Daniel speaks is unambiguous and to the point, his advice bold and blunt: "Renounce your sins by doing what is right... It may be that then your prosperity will continue" (v. 27).
True repentance is marked by change. Changed hearts. Changed minds. Changed attitudes and actions. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar falsely assured Daniel he would change his ways. Maybe he even tried humbling himself for a while so as not to lose his prosperity. Or he could have dismissed the dream and its interpretation outright. Whatever the case, the true nature of his heart eventually resurfaced.
It is only when we acknowledge the truth about God that we can see the truth about ourselves.
Nebuchadnezzar loses everything—his royal authority, his dwelling place and riches, even his sanity! He is forced to eat grass and live among the beasts of the field for seven years. Then, when the seven years had ended, Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven and was restored (v. 34).
It is only when we acknowledge the truth about God that we can see the truth about ourselves. Nebuchadnezzar's lesson in humility was certainly learned in the school of hard knocks, but the end result was his humble adoration, unquestioning acceptance, reverent love and profound delight for God!
He said, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble" (v. 37, emphasis mine).
The truth is, God wants to restore us! He loves when we witness with joy to the wonderful deeds He has done for us (v. 2). So let us humble ourselves before Him—lifting our eyes toward heaven. Let us embrace the hard truths knowing that as we turn to Jesus, His limitless grace is poured out on us!
Lord, help me walk humbly with you today. Soften my heart to respond to conviction and quicken my soul to turn to You in repentance. May I acknowledge Your authority in every area of my life. And when I stumble, O Lord, help me remember it pleases You to restore me, and You are waiting to welcome me with open arms! In Jesus' name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- Have you been struggling to embrace any hard truths lately? What would it look like to humble yourself in that situation?
- What keeps you from acknowledging God's authority? Is it money? Self–reliance? Fear or shame?
- Pride keeps us from turning to Jesus in our sin. Is repentance your first response to conviction, or your last resort?
- Read Luke 15:11–32. Can you trust that this is how God welcomes those who return to Him, with love and open arms?
- Are there any hard truths you need to speak to someone in love today? Ask God to guide you and give you the words to say, and the courage to say them.