A First-Hand Conversion Account

Scripture: I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. ... 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. Daniel 4:4,37

Observation: The fourth chapter of Daniel is interesting for several reasons. Not to be overlooked is that it tells the account of King Nebuchadnezzar's conversion to belief in God. This conversion involved convicting him of his sin of pride, reducing him through madness to a homeless man, and after a period (not well stated - may have been seven years, seven months, or seven seasons) returning him to power after he looked to God for hope. This is a story just as powerful as the others in Daniel, and should (though it isn't) taught right along with the fiery furnace and the lion's den, if not at least as often as the testing of the healthy diet and the writing on the wall.

However, I see this as insightful for another reason: The majority of this chapter of Daniel is written in the first person by Nebuchadnezzar himself. In other words, this is the first-hand account of the most powerful king of his day, confessing his conversion story. This is ... Nebuchadnezzar's testimony! In this, Nebuchadnezzar - a king so powerful that he effectively rules all of the middle east as we know it ... so famous that 2,500 years later pieces of his palace are on display in modern museums (and I've seen them) - that Nebuchadnezzar spells out a personal account of his acceptance of Yahweh:

1) He is first warned of his sinful life. While he doesn't understand the warning, he is sensitive to the fact that it is ominous and it troubles him.

2) He consults non-believers, who are of no help at all.

3) He then consults a believer (Daniel) who has already garnered his trust, and who has demonstrated his faith, and he empowers that believer to speak truth to him even if the news is bad.

4) Even upon receiving the true warning from the believer, he fails to change his ways, demonstrates pride, and the predicted punishment comes to pass.

5) Through an understanding of the sin and the resulting situation, he turns to God with hope for restoration and relief.

6) God responds to that hope, and Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God.

Application: This is informative in its model, especially with the first three facts ... the non-believer at first is troubled by insight into his life, seeks empty advice, and only then turns to a believer whom he already trusts for advice. What we now call "pre-evangelism", then, begins when we take two steps with those around us. First, we establish trust as friends. Second, despite being friends, we remain clear in our faith that differentiates us personally from others.

I have been praying recently about how to improve my engagement with others at my place of work - my holy vocation. This provides a timely reminder and answer to that prayer. I need to continue to work on relationships and trust, while also actively differentiating myself as a Christian. As I do both, opportunities will emerge.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the timely answer to prayer. I am reminded anew of the greatness and relevance of your word. May I humbly walk with you every day in the place you have put me. Amen.