Over the last couple of weeks one of themes in our lessons on Daniel has been God’s patience with Nebuchadnezzar. Eventually, Nebuchadnezzar came to acknowledge God as the one true God. In Daniel 4:37 we have these words from the once ruthless king: Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. It is thought that Nebuchadnezzar lived about one more year after the events of Daniel 4, but nothing is known of his subsequent deeds. Hopefully he continued steadfast in his faith in the God whom he had been brought to acknowledge, and that he died in that belief.
While it is true that God is patient, that He would have all men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4) and that He doesn’t want anyone to perish but come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) God is also just and His patience is not infinite. Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:7 that God cannot be mocked. When a person ignores God’s patience and grace, that individual is mocking God, and eventually God’s patience runs out.
Proverbs 29:1 says “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” In Daniel chapter 5 we see God’s patience run out on someone who knew about God but chose to ignore Him and mock Him. As a result this individual was destroyed. When a person chooses to ignore God and His grace and they die in their sins, there is no remedy that can save them, they are lost forever. That is a sobering thought but it’s a fact.
This Sunday we will take a closer look at Daniel 5 and see how God dealt with a rebellious king who chose to ignore God instead of accepting His word.
Praying everyone has a great week!
In Christ,
Gary T.