00:00Tucked into the Old Testament is the book of Daniel, and within that book are several
00:11accounts from the life of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. At the time of Nebuchadnezzar's reign,
00:18Babylon was the world's largest superpower. The king had tremendous wealth, territory,
00:24and power, and Nebuchadnezzar allowed himself to be puffed up with pride because of it.
00:30God had mercy on Nebuchadnezzar, though. Rather than letting the poor king wallow in his arrogance,
00:37the Lord humbled him. The king lost his mind and lost his position. He was reduced to eating grass
00:44like a farm animal. His hair and nails grew long, so he looked as much like a beast as he behaved.
00:50But then, when he had been humbled long enough, he was allowed to come back to his senses.
00:56When he did, he proclaimed that God is the Most High God and that his kingdom is the only one
01:03that will last forever. Nebuchadnezzar received a harsh dose of reality. God's kingdom is the only
01:10one that will last because Jesus is its king. Everything else is fleeting. Whether you're on
01:17top of the world, as Nebuchadnezzar was, or it seems like the world is crumbling all around you,
01:23this life is only temporary. God has invited you into the story he is writing,
01:29but the story has always been, and always will be, all about Jesus. This week, take time to think
01:36about what might be standing in your way of pursuing Jesus and his kingdom. Ask God to open your eyes to
01:43the pursuit of his kingdom and help you shift your heart to pursue it instead.
