Nebuchadnezzar was a king that God used to punish the Israelites when they had turned their back on Him once again. Instead of acknowledging the God who had given him this position, the king boasted of his abilities until one day God had enough. This arrogant being who thought he had autonomous power no longer had control of even his own body. He was driven from the palace and made to live outside and eat grass like an ox until God was ready to restore him to the kingdom. What amazes me, though, is his response to this degradation:

And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’  ~Daniel 4:34-35

It is hard to find Christians with such faith and yet here is a pagan king glorifying God for his humiliation. There is no bitterness or complaint. Just praise and adoration for the God who is able to put down those who walk in pride (Daniel 4:37).

In Job 2:10, Job asks his wife:

Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”

This is a question we would do well to ask ourselves. It is easy to praise God when things are going our way, but when hardship comes, we tend to murmur, complain, or react in some other ungodly manner. Let’s take a lesson from Nebuchadnezzar and thank God that He who began a good work in us will complete it however He chooses to do so (Philippians 1:6).