FRIDAY, APRIL 27
Daniel 4:28-33
Isaiah 11:1-16

“And there shall come forth
a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and
a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”

WHILE THE WORD WAS IN HIS MOUTH

Nebuchadnezzar the king completely ignored the ominous dream of the banded stump and the gracious warning of Daniel. History tells us that he launched a great and victorious campaign in Egypt during the twelve months mentioned in Daniel 4:29. Then, returning to Babylon, his beautiful city built with slave labour (including Jews, Jer 29:2), he exclaimed, “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?” (Dan 4:30).

Such insufferable pride was instantly recorded in the third heaven and brought divine judgment before his words were completed: “The kingdom is departed from thee” (Dan 4:31). And, having lost his God-given sanity, he was led into a field and “to eat grass as oxen” (Dan 4:32).

Israel suffered similarly. In a rebellious spirit they demanded flesh in the wilderness, which God promptly gave them. “And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed … the LORD smote the people …” (Num 11:33). King Herod was instantly judged by God when “he gave not God the glory” (Acts 12:23) in his great oration to the people. Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead the moment lying words proceeded from their lips (Acts 5).

It is perfectly obvious, therefore, that our Lord does not need time and circumstances to detect the presence of sin and to deal with it. Especially in the coming Kingdom age, all men will see that He does “… not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge …” (Isa 11:3-4).

THOUGHT: Only three words are needed to restore full fellowship: “I HAVE SINNED.”
PRAYER: May the words of my mouth reflect a heart of love and devotion to Thee, my Lord.