The king eats grass

King Nebuchadnezzar had a strange dream that even his wisest advisors could not understand. Eventually, the king called Daniel and told him the dream. When Daniel heard what the king had dreamed, he was afraid to tell him what it meant, but the king insisted that Daniel explain the meaning of his dream.

“You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals,” Daniel said. “For seven years, you will eat grass in the field and have no shelter. Then you will realize that God rules over all the kingdoms of the world.”

Daniel’s words came true. King Nebuchadnezzar was driven away from his people. After seven long years, the king’s mind became normal again, and he began praising God and giving Him glory.

How can a bad experience lead us to God?

Imagine eating dry grass! You would have to be very hungry before grass started looking tasty. People are not meant to eat grass! Grass is for cattle and sheep—unless, of course, like Nebuchadnezzar, you need to become as humble as a cow or as dependent as a sheep.

Jesus told the story of the son who rebelled against his father and left home to live a life of pleasure. He spent all his money on wild parties and sinful living. But when his money ran out, he had to find work and ended up feeding pigs. Eventually, he became so hungry that even the pigs’ food started looking good (see Luke 15:11–20).

King Nebuchadnezzar and the son who left home both rebelled against their father. They wanted to do their own thing and not rely on God. They wanted to run their lives their own way and make their own decisions.

When we run from God our Father, He still loves us very much and longs to have us back home as part of His family. That is why He sometimes allows bad things to happen—to bring us to our senses.

Verse for today

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

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