After seven years of living among wild animals, temporarily banished from the world’s most powerful throne because of his prideful ways, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon finally came to his senses.
The God who had placed him over such a vast and prosperous empire was, at long last, seen by the king for who He truly is – the Giver of all blessings. It was a hard lesson to learn for one so accustomed to unlimited success and extravagant luxury, but one well worth learning, for it led to his faith and was his pathway to peace. As the king later recounted:
36 At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the honor of my kingdom, and my state counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just; and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” Daniel 4:36-37 (NASB)
With this trial behind him, King Nebuchadnezzar was now restored to his original position and, going forward, served his people in humility and righteousness.
In the New Testament gospel of Luke, Jesus tells of another person who was suffering because he had departed from God’s ways. In the Parable of the Lost, or Prodigal, Son, a young man demanded and received his inheritance in advance from his father, a very disrespectful act. The son then wasted this fortune on wild living in a far country. When the money was all gone, the son hungrily took the only job he could find – tending and feeding pigs, an unclean animal to a person of the Jewish faith. But even here, the young man starved, not even allowed to partake of the poor food he was giving the animals. At that point, like Nebuchadnezzar, he finally came to his senses.
17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! 18 I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ Luke 15:17-19 (NASB)
This young man’s life lesson was entirely of his own making, but the parable shows that the Father, representing God the Father, has a soft heart for us, even the most wayward of us. When this young man humbled himself in his heart, his father, like God, was quite ready to forgive and restore him.
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20-24 (ESV)
Like the Father in Jesus’ parable, even when we have turned away from the Lord to live a life of sin, He still loves us deeply and longs for us to return. God is always keeping watch for us, like the young man’s father, and does not desire to strike us down with a lightning bolt, but rather, longs to lift us up, to embrace us and kiss us – He truly loves us! Jesus took all of the punishment we deserve for our sins upon Himself on the cross at Calvary. He was then raised from the dead, the First Born of many believers, so that we, too, may follow Him forever. All He asks is that we come to our senses and humbly turn to Him, believing in Jesus as Lord and, in faith, receiving Him and the gift of His sacrifice in our hearts. Many have done just this, and the rewards for doing so are great, and endless.
Reflection
We all have weak points in our lives where we are more prone to sin. For some, it may be pride, like King Nebuchadnezzar. For others, something else, such as hate, covetousness, lust, greed, or any combination of selfish things that we that we know in our hearts is wrong, but choose to do anyway.
God is merciful and desires that we turn to Him to receive complete cleansing, forgiveness, and restoration. The two accounts of return and restoration in this meditation are a testimony to God’s loving character and patience with us. Won’t you seek Him today?
Lord, we may be in a place right now where we do not belong. Perhaps we have walked away from You in some area of our lives, and now need to be restored back to a position of faith, with safety, favor, righteousness, and fellowship with You. We ask Your forgiveness for all the wrongs we have done, and ask Your help in changing our direction and actions going forward. We ask this in the powerful name of Jesus, who loves us and wants the very best for us, Amen.
Bonus passage from Paul’s letter to Titus:
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7 (ESV)
Have a beautiful and blessed day in the Lord today. We are His heirs, indeed.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 