I used to be a youth pastor.
And many of my youth could almost quote something that I always said...
"God is great and God is good.
If he is great but not good, we should be terrified!
If he is good but not great, what good is he to us?
But he is Great and He is good!"
That saying couldn't be more true than in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar.
King Neb, was the king of the neo-babylonian empire.
Basically, he was having all these crazy dreams.
And he was trusting in these sorcerers, magicians and others to try and interpret the dreams--
and no one could.
Except this dude named Daniel.
Now King Nebuchadnezzar had this one dream where there was this big tree.
The tree was strong and it touched the sky. It's leaves were beautiful and produced many fruit.
He said that the animals loved the shelter of the tree and all was pretty much great.
Then he said that the 'holy one' called out to him in a voice and said,
14...‘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.’
So Daniel interpreted his dream.
He said that the tree was him, King Nebuchadnezzar.
He said that all this will come true if he, King Neb, doesn't repent of his sins and turn to God.
All of this did come true.
He was stripped of all he had reigned over.
He was sent away to live as the animals and among the plants.
(Kinda sucks right?!)
But if you keep reading...
When all this happened, it says in Daniel 4:34
34 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.
Verse 36-37
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 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.
God is great enough to handle all situations and circumstances.
But he is also good enough to take care of his own.
All King Nebuchadnezzar had to do was repent and turn to God---
It took him a while but when he did--God kept his promise.
Sorry this is a little long and wordy...
But it's worth it.
God is Great and God is good!
If he is great but not good, we should be terrified.
If he is good but not great, what good is he to us?
But he is both great and good!
And many of my youth could almost quote something that I always said...
"God is great and God is good.
If he is great but not good, we should be terrified!
If he is good but not great, what good is he to us?
But he is Great and He is good!"
That saying couldn't be more true than in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar.
King Neb, was the king of the neo-babylonian empire.
Basically, he was having all these crazy dreams.
And he was trusting in these sorcerers, magicians and others to try and interpret the dreams--
and no one could.
Except this dude named Daniel.
Now King Nebuchadnezzar had this one dream where there was this big tree.
The tree was strong and it touched the sky. It's leaves were beautiful and produced many fruit.
He said that the animals loved the shelter of the tree and all was pretty much great.
Then he said that the 'holy one' called out to him in a voice and said,
14...‘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.’
So Daniel interpreted his dream.
He said that the tree was him, King Nebuchadnezzar.
He said that all this will come true if he, King Neb, doesn't repent of his sins and turn to God.
All of this did come true.
He was stripped of all he had reigned over.
He was sent away to live as the animals and among the plants.
(Kinda sucks right?!)
But if you keep reading...
When all this happened, it says in Daniel 4:34
34 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.
Verse 36-37
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 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.
God is great enough to handle all situations and circumstances.
But he is also good enough to take care of his own.
All King Nebuchadnezzar had to do was repent and turn to God---
It took him a while but when he did--God kept his promise.
Sorry this is a little long and wordy...
But it's worth it.
God is Great and God is good!
If he is great but not good, we should be terrified.
If he is good but not great, what good is he to us?
But he is both great and good!