Who’s in Charge?Who’s in Charge?

Daniel 4

1) The Lord God has spoken to me 1) The Lord God has spoken to me (vv4-27)(vv4-27)

So that the living may know that So that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all the Most High is sovereign over all

kingdoms on earth, and gives kingdoms on earth, and gives them to anyone he wishes, and them to anyone he wishes, and sets over them the lowliest of sets over them the lowliest of

peoplepeople

You are the tree

You will be driven away from people You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; and will live with the wild animals;

you will eat grass like the ox ….you will eat grass like the ox ….……until you acknowledge that the Most until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on High is sovereign over all kingdoms on

earth and gives them to anyone he earth and gives them to anyone he wishes….wishes….

……your kingdom will be restored to you your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven when you acknowledge that Heaven

rules.rules.

God still speaks today!God still speaks today!

He calls us to be wise,He calls us to be wise,recognising Him as the real Kingrecognising Him as the real King

and living under his rule….and living under his rule….

2) The Lord God has humbled me 2) The Lord God has humbled me (vv28-33)(vv28-33)

‘‘Is not this the great Babylon I have Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?’my majesty?’

Even as the words were on his lips, a voice Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.authority has been taken from you.You will be driven away from people and You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.“earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.“

vv31-32vv31-32

An urgent An urgent warningwarningto proud to proud peoplepeople

An urgent An urgent call to prayercall to prayerand action and action

3) The Lord God has saved me 3) The Lord God has saved me (vv34-37)(vv34-37)

His dominion is an eternal dominion; His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. heaven and the peoples of the earth. No-one can hold back his hand or say No-one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"to him: "What have you done?"

At the end of that time, I, At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes towards heaven, and my sanity was towards heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honoured and glorified him High; I honoured and glorified him who lives for ever.who lives for ever.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to who walk in pride he is able to humblehumble.