"Take A Stand" is our series at Fusion Christian Church on having the courage to stand strong in the faith. From the book of Daniel we will learn what it takes follow God in a world that doesn't. In chapter 4, Pastor Zac teaches about the pride of the King and the humbling lesson he learned.

Always start your story by giving God the glory.

Instead of being told from Daniel's perspective, Daniel chapter four is actually narrated by Nebuchadnezzar. While describing the most humbling experience of his life, King Nebuchadnezzar chooses to start by acknowledging God as Most High and worthy of worship. When we reflect on our own lives and our own stories, we ought to do the same. God must be first in our lives.

Start your story with repentance.

As the King tells his story in Daniel 4, he noticeably fails to repent early on. If he had changed his ways when God gave him a dream of warning, he would not have needed the extreme humbling later. Instead, because the King failed to repent, God cursed him to become like a dumb animal for seven years. Fortunately for Nebuchadnezzar, God gave him another chance to repent at the end of those seven years. Eventually, the King's sanity returned to him and he looked to God and changed his ways.

Your story isn't about you; it's about God working in you and through you.

At the end of Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar once again acknowledges the greatness of God. This is an important lesson for us because we should recognize that our stories are also mere windows through which God displays his glory. The purpose of your life and your story is to give glory to God. Even for people who reject God, the bible teaches that their lives will still eventually demonstrate the glory of God. However, it is always better to choose to acknowledge God's greatness yourself. How can you choose to give God the glory in your life this week?