As I understood this, I prayed, “Humble me as you did Nebechadnezzur,” knowing that he lost his mind for seven “times;” eating the grass of the field, wet by morning dew, hair and nails growing long. In the end his reason is restored and he declares, “Now I Nebechadnezzur praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” {Daniel 4:28-37} A promise, as Rumi says, “Like a spider seizing his victim, the Lord is capable of seizing us in his web.” {Rumi Context}
Over nine years my faith and friendship with Christ has grown. My fear is subsiding as I look to the Author and Finisher of faith, instead of my own heart, which I cannot keep. With Nebechadnezzar I say again,
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the
kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that
I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for
the honour of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice
from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom
is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall
be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen,
and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth
in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar:
and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet
with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and
his nails like birds' claws.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes
unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most
High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is
an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing:
and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants
of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the
glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors
and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent
majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King
of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that
walk in pride he is able to abase.