Dehumanizing Delusions

Living for God in Ungodly Times - Message 5 - Dehumanizing Delusions. Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar ruled the known world and oversaw one of the most glorious kingdoms the world has ever seen. And he knew it. But then he had another dream. He dreamed of a great tree that provided shade for the earth, habitation and food for animals, and stretched all the way into the heavens. But this tree was being watched by "holy ones", and at their word the tree was cut down leaving only a stump in the field, exposed to the elements of the weather and to the passing of time. What could this mean? It troubled him and so he called for his wise men. Finally the chief wise man was able to give an answer. The tree was Nebuchadnezzar and because of his pride he was going to be abased. God would send him dehumanizing delusions, driving him into madness, and he would roam the fields like an animal, out of his mind until such time as God deemed willing to restore him. At that time he would testify with great humility that it is God who sets up kings and kingdoms and who removes then at His pleasure. When the time had passed as God had revealed the king came to his senses and declared this change of heart by declaring the praises of God, worshipping Him as sovereign over heaven and earth. Here in this chapter we learn lessons about depravity that is rooted in pride, delusions that make us believe that we can be in control of our lives and destiny, and the grim reality of our darkened understanding and the futility of defying God. He is the Potter. We are are the clay. And He will do as He pleases. To believe otherwise is to be quite totally out of our minds.