Nebuccanzzer, am I?

30"The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the ^(BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'

31"While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you,

32and ^(BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and ^(BG)seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the ^(BH)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.'

33"Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was ^(BI)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.

34"But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the ^(BJ)Most High and praised and honored ^(BK)Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an ^(BL)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35"^(BM)All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But ^(BN)He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And ^(BO)no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, '^(BP)What have You done?'

Most times, I imagine Nebuchadnezzar in a small column called "bad guys", I of course am found in the "good guy column". It's an humanly display of pride, we always hope the best for ourselves. But what has made Nebuchadnezzar good/bad?

30"The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the ^(BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'

An innocent statement? Maybe, but how often have I also made the same claim. Last night I spent some time meeting a friend's cousin. It was fun, but was it because of the work of my hands? No, it was a gift from God, in almost every aspect. But here's the sneaky question; was i thinking that at the time? At the time i will admit, my ego powered up and took the throne. My jokes, my words, my stories, my doing. Is there any hope to train us towards what is right?

And even more than that, when I think of school, how my priorities rapidly change. A good grade, and it becomes a recognition that always SHOULd have been there: I am awesome. But when i get a bad grade, I assume some sort of fluke. How fervent and repeated my heart is to exalt itself. Everything should be accredited to God.

Considering these things. It is only a matter of time, till i too will find my place in the fields, my senses gone from me, and living like a wild animal. Assist me oh lord, to kill, well, me! I do fear thy hand, and the sting of instruction, but if the doctor's knife does bleed, let it be in your hands more than any, for you are gentle, wise and powerful.