Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Daniel 4:23-27 (NIV)
23 "You, O king, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live like the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.'24 "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."
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In this passage, the word "acknowledge" appears twice, as Daniel rebukes King Nebuchadnezzar that he has to "acknowledge" the Most High who is sovereign over the kingdoms of men. I think "acknowledge" could be interpreted here as to renounce our sins wholeheartedly and pray that we express our obedience toward Him. Unfortunately, King Nebuchadnezzar was not able to do so, since he enjoyed all the splendors of the world, and thought that he would be the mightiest person. He did not have the heart to humble himself before the Lord....In fact, it's very difficult to acknowledge our Lord every moment in our lives, and our sinful nature causes us to move away from Him more and more. I pray that that I will be submissive to Him and understand what He wants me to do when He calls me.
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