The Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel is mainly known for the night Daniel spent in the lion’s den, but there is another side of God’s grace and mercy demonstrated for an unbeliever. Nebuchadnezzar was a heathen king to whom God gave dreams, which no one could interpret except Daniel and his companions. Daniel went in to ask the king for time so that he and his companions, Hananiah, Misael, and Azariah, may seek mercy from God in heaven concerning the dream.

God of heaven reveals secrets to Daniel!

The God of heaven gave Daniel and his companion the interpretation of the king’s dream. Daniel took no credit for being able to interpret the king’s dream; he told King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. God is sovereign, and the supreme authority He has is exercised for the believer and the heathen!

The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth and show you things to come.

John 16:13

Daniel continues to tell the king his dream and its interpretation, as God had revealed it to him. The accuracy of the vision caused the king to fall and prostrate before Daniel. The king told no one about his dream, but Daniel repeated his dream with exactness that he answered Daniel saying, “Truly your God is God of Gods, the Lord of King, and a revealer of secrets since you could reveal this secret (Daniel 2:16-47).”  

The God of heaven and earth showed King Nebuchadnezzar mercy on yet another time when he became proud himself, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and the honour of my majesty?” before Nebuchadnezzar could bask in the moment God spoke from heaven.

“King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!”

Daniel 4:31

It would seem this would be it for King Nebuchadnezzar, but the mercy allowed Nebuchadnezzar to be driven from men where he ate grass like an ox; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. I can’t imagine the man he appeared to be because although he was a man, he was eating grass like cattle, but in appearance, he was like a bird with claws!

The Mercy of God!

Nebuchadnezzar Driven to Humility!

At the end of time, Nebuchadnezzar repented, lifted his eyes to heaven, and said, “My understanding returned to me, I am blessed of the Highest and praise and honour Him who lives forever (Daniel 4:28-34). The power of repentance to the Most High is observed in this heathen king’s life. 

Never Doubt Father God’s Mercy Toward You, Child of God!

Since God had mercy on a heathen king, how much more for you? He sent His Son Jesus; that is all the mercy you need for eternity! In Jesus, we are seated at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20). In Jesus, we are the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)! We are righteous just as if we have never sinned. Without sin, death, condemnation, and guilt, we don’t have a place in us who believe in Him (Romans 8:1)!

Jesus is Lord!