Let God be God
“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.” (NIV) Daniel 4:34
The aspiration of attaining the best and the highest potential, and to be at our best in every way, is the desire of many, if not all people- that is a noble thing (and the world badly needs that). The Creator has well-endowed every human with their own uniqueness- having been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). We sometimes shine and even outshine in our intended pursuits. Subtly though, lies a great vulnerability: the desire to be God, after having supposedly conquered (it all) in Life.
So it happened, that one day King Nebuchadnezzar, when walking on the roof of his royal palace, reflected, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”. Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. …….. until you acknowledge that the Highest is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”(Daniel 4:30-32)
The hard times in life have not exclusively been depicted in turmoil, lack, want, wars, or deficiencies (Psalm 9:9-10; Romans 8:18-21). In our mastery, abundance, advantages, achievement, and stardom, lurk the tendency of feeling supreme, and playing God ( Deuteronomy 8:10-14;Psalm 103:2; Jeremiah 17:9).
It is rather noble to say, “If the Lord wills….”( James 4:15), though we may be working with reliable data and predictions for confident future outcomes- nobody knows what tomorrow may still bring. May we give all the glory to God instead, for what is worked through us in this life. Lord, help us overcome such a quandary. Amen.