Good morning. Today is Thursday, June 18th!

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— Daniel 4:37

Did you know there’s an entire chapter in the Bible where the most powerful man on earth goes from ruling the greatest kingdom in the world… to living outside eating grass like an animal?

And the craziest part is the chapter is basically written like his personal testimony afterward.

That’s Daniel 4.

And honestly, it might be one of the clearest chapters in the entire Bible about pride, power, and how quickly everything can change.

The chapter starts with King Nebuchadnezzar II having a disturbing dream about a giant tree.

The tree was massive. It reached to heaven, could be seen across the earth, and gave shelter and food to everything around it.

Then suddenly, a heavenly messenger says:

“Cut down the tree…”

But leave the stump.

Daniel explains that the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar himself. His kingdom, power, influence, and success.

And Daniel warns him to humble himself before it’s too late.

But about a year later, Nebuchadnezzar is walking around Babylon looking at everything he built and says:

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built…”

And basically the moment he says that, everything changes.

The most powerful king in the world suddenly loses his sanity.

The Bible says he lives outside eating grass like an ox, sleeping in the open fields, with hair grown long and nails like claws.

The man who once ruled the greatest kingdom on earth now looks more like an animal than a king.

That’s what makes the intro of this chapter so shocking.

Daniel 4 is showing how quickly pride can completely blind someone.

Nebuchadnezzar became so consumed with his own greatness that he started believing he built everything by his own power.

But eventually, after being humbled, Nebuchadnezzar looks toward heaven, his understanding returns, and instead of glorifying himself, he glorifies God.

The king who once praised himself finally realizes everything he had ultimately came from God.

And honestly, that’s the entire message of Daniel 4:

No amount of power, success, or status places someone above God… and pride can destroy a person before they even realize it.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: God, thank You that You alone are sovereign over all things.

Confession: Forgive us for the pride in our hearts and for forgetting You.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for Your mercy and patience with us.

Supplication: Help us stay humble and give You the glory in everything.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Grace Got You” by MercyMe

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God