On Eagles’ Wings (April 06)

Dear Worshippers of the Most High,

Did you know Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon wrote you a letter 2,600 years ago? Have you read it? No?!! Well, it’s in Daniel 4. No time to read?!! I have summarised it below.

The letter was directed not only to his own subjects, but to all peoples, nations, and languages living on earth. Nebuchadnezzar was not only keen that everyone should hear of his experience although it did not reflect well on him, but he strictly charged and commanded everyone to take note of it as he wanted all to learn from it.

All the nations then, no doubt, had heard about his experience; but he felt his personal sharing/testimony would provide a more accurate account of it.

His experience was most unusual and quite bizarre really, even in these days of computer animation and graphics (CGI). God warned him in a dream to stop sinning and live righteously. It would appear that after 1 year of grace period, he did not repent still. Instead he continued being arrogant, self-centred and prideful, the sins that so easily beset great men who have great things in the world. Like them, he took the glory which was due to God only.

Just as he was strutting around on the roof his royal palace, full of pomp, arrogance and pride, basking in and admiring his achievements, God rebuked him and: -

Removed him from his position.

He lost his reasoning power, became stark mad and naked.

He went on all fours like an animal and was driven into the wilderness to live like a beast.

He ate grass like a beast of the field and lived in the open with his body wet with the dew.

His hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.

He stayed out there until he fully recognised God as the Supreme Ruler of the world. At the end of 7 years as foretold in his dream, he lifted up his eyes to Heaven, he blessed, praised and honoured the Most High God and his reasoning power returned.

When Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledged the greatness, sovereignty and justice of God and his greatness as God-given, his reason, majesty, splendor, favour of men, security of his throne were returned to him and even his greatness was increased.

The lessons that Nebuchadnezzar wanted to impart to us are:-

We must sought to give all praise, worship and honour to the King of Heaven, the Most High, for He is the source of every good thing; He rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will;all His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is well able to humble.

Whatever we have and possess in this world is not everlasting but He and His Kingdom alone are everlasting.

Nebuchadnezzar’s honest account of God’s dealings with him reminds us of the need to:-

1. Show/tell others God’s dealings with us – both the rebukes and the blessings we have received. We are naturally very willing to tell others of God’s blessings when they reflect well on us but will not tell how God disciplined us and how we deserved it.

Eventhough our disgrace, embarrassment and wrongdoing will be revealed, as in Nebuchadnezzar’s case, we must not hide them, as long as they reflect and speak of the glory and mercies of God.

2. Nebuchadnezzar was a Gentile (non-Jew) and non-believer of the Most High. Yet God used him to conquer Israel to punish the Israelites for their unfaithfulness and stubbornness, gave him a great and mighty kingdom, rebuked and disciplined him when he took the glory for himself.

What about us who are of Him? We have even greater accountability to our awesome God. In His love for us, He will not hesitate to discipline in order that we may learn submission, relinquish control and power and become teachable.

3. As we have received our annual appraisals last month and our bonuses this month, it is a good time to give Him the glory for He is the One who has enabled us.

4. Be faithful to bring our tithes and offerings to God, otherwise we will be robbing Him (Malachi 3:8-9). Our obedience and faithfulness in this will surely be further rewarded for this is the only area we have been specifically asked to test Him:

Mal 3:10-12

10 Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts.

12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

The El-Shaddai Fellowship (ESF – for those who are new to this newsletter, see below for more details on the ESF) will like to give you an opportunity to participate in the mission fields and share in the end-time harvest. Through the years the ESF has given tens of thousands of Ringgit to many ministries, men and women of God serving Him. If you feel led to give through the ESF, please credit your giving/offering to HSBC A/c No: 301- . We will be faithful in giving and disbursing the funds to ministries, men and women of God who are faithful in serving Him.

So let us pray and ask the Lord for the amount to give to the ESF Fund because through this giving we will be fulfilling one of the purposes of being called to the Marketplace ministry. Be challenged. Stretch your faith in your giving – you can never, never outgive God!!