During this battle I got the news that my father died. It was August 15th. I will never forget that day. It was the day I had waited for my entire life. I chose a few of my best men and together we rode 23 days across the blazing hot desert. On September 6th I became the king over the greatest kingdom on earth. I married Nitocris and later Amytis. Together we had three sons. The years after this I defended my country and I built Babylon into the greatest city on earth.

      But then I met four young Jews, led by one they called Daniel. These four Jews were superior in wisdom and learning than all the others. When I interviewed them, I saw something in them that I didn't have. Here they were, standing before me, the greatest king on earth, and they seemed so calm and confident, as if they knew another king greater than I was. But I was a busy man. I didn't have time to think about about some god who couldn't even protect His people. I sent the four boys off to their places of service and forgot about them.

      About one year later I started having terrible dreams; dreams that terrified me. I tried to get my friends and counselors to help me during this difficult time but they couldn't help me. I found out that only Daniel could help me. He said that His God told him what I dreamed and what it meant. I knew it was the truth. I began to think more about this Most High God. And I made Daniel to be my chief advisor.

      But I was still very busy. I was building Babylon into the greatest city in the world. I built a system of double walls around our city as wide as a six-lane highway and as tall as an eight-story building. There were eight splendid gates, each named for one of my gods. For my wife, Amytis, I built the Hanging Gardens, one of the eight wonders of the world.

      My life couldn't have been better. I had my health. I had my family. I had my palace. I had my kingdom, which included most of what you call the Middle East. I had my gods who I thought had made me successful. There was just one thing I didn't have - peace of mind! The dreams started again. Night after night, I saw the same bad dream in my mind. I'd wake up in a cold sweat, shaking, crying. Deep down I feared these dreams were the whispers of the Most High God.

      I wondered why this dream was given to me. I knew there was only one person who could tell me what this dream meant. But I was afraid to find out. Finally I called Daniel. After I finished he said I was being warned by the Most High God. Like a tree, I was great and strong, but I was also proud. So God would soon cut me down and make me to think and live like an animal for seven years, until I was willing to admit that the Most High God is God and ruler of all. And then Daniel looked me in the eyes and begged me to follow The Most High God.

      And then he just left. After that the dreams stopped. I tried to do what he said. Many people said they saw a change in me. I tried to make peace with my enemies. I stopped using bad language. I fed the poor. I built a few more Temples. I spent more time with my sons. I would have done more, but things were going so well. After a month, I forgot about the dream. I continued to build. I continued to prosper.

      And then one day I took a walk on the roof of my royal palace. The sun was shining. I could see this great city of Babylon in front of me. I felt so proud! I thought to myself, "It doesn't get any better than this! Look at me! Standing here in the royal palace of the greatest city on earth which I myself have built." But then suddenly, I knew I was in trouble. I don't remember much of what happened. I'm told I went completely crazy. My advisors watched me as I became wild, like an animal. I went out and started eating grass in my own fields. My hair grew long and my fingernails were like bird claws. For seven years my advisors did not let the people in my kingdom see me or know what had really happened to me. They just told everybody, "The king is sick."

      I don't remember much about those seven years, but one day I woke up. I looked up to the sky and I just said over and over: "The Most High rules...the Most High rules." As soon as I said it, my mind began to clear. It was like I woke up from a dream, but I wasn't the same person. For the first time in my life, I felt I knew who I was and I knew who He was. I knelt and prayed right there in the grassy field. I lifted my arms to heaven and cried out, "His kingdom is everlasting. His rule is from generation to generation. He does as he pleases in heaven and on earth. No one can hold back his hand. No one can question him."

      When I was finished, I looked toward my palace and I saw Daniel and the others coming out to greet me. Within hours I was give back my throne and Babylon became more successful than ever. But I was different. I was not pretending to be God, nor was I an animal, I was just a man. I knew that the Most High God is God and that He rules.

      Now you may not be a king like me, but you sit on your own throne and maybe you think you rule your own life. Maybe you have no room for God in your life. Maybe you think God is only for weak people. You're in control of your life. If you act like that remember my story.

      Or maybe you're a religious person. But maybe you're just as proud as I was. A day will come when God will warn you. It may be a dream; it may be someone like Daniel; it may be something you just can't control. But the message will be clear: the Most God High rules; break away from your sins and follow Him. If you don't humble yourself now, He will have to humble you later. That's a message you need to listen to. It's a dangerous thing to walk in pride. I know. That's my story.

by Steve Nicholes
LINKS TO . . . Other Bible Messages Genesis Esther Daniel Philippians James Complete Discipleship Topics