Coffee With The Lord

SUBVERSION…

I never want to be guilty of it! Always want to have a pure heart, pure motives, and ethical behavior… don’t you?

Here’s what prompted that thought this morning… My Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

“Absalom (David’s son!) bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, ‘You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!’ When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:1–6 New Living Translation)

I wrote it in the margin of my Bible this morning: “Something important to remember” … “A person’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths!” (Proverbs 5:21)

Imagine it … the leader (the king) of the greatest nation on earth at the time writes and publishes through his “media outlets” and “OPEN LETTER” to all in his entire kingdom! You really need to read it in Daniel 4 – quite a letter!

Now an “OPEN LETTER” is designed for maximum communication and coverage! And in this “OPEN LETTER” Nebuchadnezzar is being very vulnerable! He tells the whole story of a supernatural experience he had – a weird dream actually, that had the “feel” of a God-encounter! All his wise “consultants” were dumbfounded – they did not have a clue to its significance! Only an Israelite alien, a God fearing man who had demonstrated earlier incredible God-given wisdom in these kinds of situations – Daniel – was eventually consulted.

The message from Daniel [Belteshazzar – his Babylonian name] was a frightening one – risky to deliver! It addressed pride, self-sufficiency, and arrogance of power! Daniel predicted a season of insanity for Nebuchadnezzar – seven years actually – in which he would be incapable of ruling “till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will,,, your kingdom will be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules! Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” (Vss. 25-27)

And it happened to Nebuchadnezzar just as Daniel predicted and prophesied! (Read it for yourself – vss. 28-33)

The result – the outcome? Here it is in Nebuchadnezzar’s own words in the “OPEN LETTER”…

“AT the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?” Then my reason returned to me, and the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. NOW I, NEBUCHADNEZZAR, PRAISE AND EXTOL AND HONOR THE KING OF HEAVEN, FOR ALL HIS WORKS ARE RIGHT AND HIS WAYS ARE JUST; AND THOSE WHO WALK IN PRIDE HE IS ABLE TO HUMBLE.’” (Vss. 34–37)

Quite an “OPEN LETTER” from the leader of the greatest nation on earth at the time wouldn’t you say? Quite an acknowledgement and admission! There’s an old saying in America – “No one is above the law!” … Here’s a better one – one that is more accurate… “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LORD!” Me thinks there are some leaders, some celebrities, some people of influence who need to learn what Nebuchadnezzar learned!