Have you ever planted a fruit tree or a flowering shrub, for it to evolve into something amazing but it struggles to fruit or flower? Sometimes it is because of the soil, sometimes because of annoying pests, and maybe even the climate. All the plant needs, at times, is some good pruning.
Pruning is God's way of "cutting us down" to prevent us from self-sabotage. Twelve months later Nebuchadnezzar still was not "getting it". He wasted an entire year knowing that He was spurning God's probationary time...and more so His love.
Which Pruning will You Accept:
The Branch or The Stump?
Nebuchaddnezzar thought life would go on as usual and that God was a "softy Parent" who loved him so much that He would not discipline him. Yet it was love that allowed God to let him "hit rock bottom"... to experience humiliation. God stepped back from his life and He had a complete mental breakdown that lasted SEVEN YEARS. It took seven years for him to come to his senses.
Do you remember Jesus and the fig tree? The Jews were represented as that fig tree. Jesus, for approximately three years, preached salvation through repentance to His people. He hoped they would have accepted Him and His word, but most of His own people rejected Him and his plan of salvation. In response, "He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser (gardener) of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he (the gardener) answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke 13:6-9
Sometimes pruning is essential for me in the process of Coming to My Senses.
I suspect that this is true for you too. Most of us are ignorant, stubborn, and rebellious children... dragging our feet in disobedience. Yet God is patient and offers us probation for a time. God sent Jesus to Earth as a gift of grace and mercy to help the Jews as well as the Gentiles to come to their senses. He does the same for us even today. But when God is not personal to us individually... we may admire His power, and crave His blessings, but our hearts are far from Him. We may go to church, sing in the choir, and even respect His principles, but not enough to fully surrender to Him and His mission as our focused priority. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we continue our selfish pursuits to our downfall. And yet there is much hope in the pruning process.
“At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.”
Daniel 4: 36
Nebuchadnezzar was converted and was honored by God for his loving obedience. He became the only heathen king whose testimonial was written down and left on record to encourage all of us.
Want to start over fresh, but struggling? Discover the One Tool God Uses to Foster Self-Worth, Recognize Purpose, and Regain Confidence When All Else Fails...Pruning.
Which pruning process will you accept? Pruning your "branches" only or cutting to " your stump?" ( Daniel 4). The latter is necessary for the most stubborn or most ignorant. Therefore if you find yourself within the pruning process, it may feel very painful but have hope. It may be God's last act of mercy in trying to grab your attention so that He may save you too.
“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose
works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.”
Daniel 4: 37
Prayer:
Lord, You have promised in your word that You will cause _______ (your name) to take root: _____ (your name) shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” Isaiah 27: 6. Even though I have messed up so many times, you still have been more than kind. You offered me hope by leaving "my stump" in the ground despite cutting me down. If I were blinded by anger, resentment or shame, I would not have recognized that the "iron and brass band" that you placed around me (Daniel 4:23, 26) was not to imprison but to empower me... not to destroy me, but to protect me. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to "come to my senses." I recognize that your mercy is everlasting, but my probation is not. Thanks for the opportunity to prioritize differently. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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3) Prioritizing Differently

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