Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Daniel 4:32, “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.”

Background

I’m not a camper. I wish that I was. Growing up, it just wasn’t one of those things that my family did. So now that I have a family of my own, I have practically no experience at camping out or spending extended time out in nature. I’ve talked several times with some friends who are campers, hoping to tag along with them a few times so that I could learn from their expertise and eventually glean what I needed to take on an outing with just our family, but it hasn’t happened yet. But when it does, I’m prepared for some of the challenges that it will bring. I’m also aware that many of the challenges and inconveniences that may have deterred my dad from wanting to camp out are no longer an issue. Air mattresses and hot plates and prepackaged foods are light years from where they were when I was a kid, not to mention the abundance of sites that now have access to indoor bathrooms and showers. So although I don’t live high on the hog now or dwell in a king’s palace, I also don’t expect to dwell among the beasts of the field or eat grass like oxen when I finally pitch a tent of my own.

Application

King Nebuchadnezzar, on the other hand, experienced just such a shock. He went from ruling the people to sleeping in the wet grass and growing his hair out like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. But what really flabbergasts me is how long it lasted. For seven times, which may very well mean seven years, he lived that way. He had dwelt for so long in palatial courts, but now he resembled those we see today who are homeless and seem to have most of their conversations with themselves. Why did it take seven times for him to come to his senses? You would think after a night or two that he would admit his plight and recognize God’s authority. But why does it take us so long? Why has your supposed brief foray lasted so long and kept that distance between you and Him, or between you and what’s right? If the shock has worn off, let that be shocking enough. Walk away from the oxen, and return to His palace.

Charge

As we seek Him today, consider whether you’ve gotten comfortable among the oxen and eating grass. Call out to Jesus to deliver you back to Himself.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words