From the Root to the Stump

Daniel 4:23-27, 34

I noticed something quite bizarre during the heat of the summer, as I looked at my tulip tree. Most of its branches are crooked and a bit gnarly with small to medium leaves. But there were two branches coming off a pruned limb shooting straight and tall with giant leaves reaching for the sky. Closer examination proved the same type leaf in shape and distinguishing marks but twice the size growing from these strong new branches. My first thought was I need to cut those off! My second thought was the verses of scripture we just read (I sure hope the verses are your main focus not what I have to say!).

Romans is right, “we are without excuse” because nature teaches all the lessons of Scripture. (Romans 1:20)

Life is about seasons. Like it or not, God is in control of everything! I cannot explain it. I am not supposed too! I am required to accept it! I am not God so I do not get to make the rules. This IS the lesson of the stump.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a problem with pride. Ahhh, there is the infamous word: PRIDE. We encourage it, teach it, promote it and yet, the LORD hates it and will do whatever it takes to eradicate it from our lives! He will cut us down to the ground! Not to destroy us but to teach us!

I rather focus on the living, merciful, loving, compassionate, and kind God. I better focus on the righteous, holy, sovereign, jealous, and wise God who searches my heart for motive!

Twice in these verses the writer under Holy Spirit of God direction writes, “…that the Most High (El Elyon) has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals, and gives to whom he will.” God put this king in a situation NO ONE could rescue him from in order to bring him to his senses!

This means He placed him in an uncomfortable situation to ultimately save him from himself! The warning had fallen on ‘ole Neb’s deaf ears.

This is a HARD reality to accept. We prideful Homo sapiens would do well to take time to evaluate ourselves, before the LORD is forced to do so for our own good. Jonah’s three days in the belly of a big fish, Samson’s blindness, Job’s trials, and King Nebuchadnezzar’s mental breakdown all had one purpose: rid them of pride, arrogance, self will, and to lift their eyes toward Heaven and its rulership over their lives. God uses different methods but the outcome is the same: He WILL BE WORSHIPPED IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH!

So the lesson of the tulip tree is the same as God’s lesson for a king: the cutting down is to produce new growth. Stronger. Straighter. Reaching toward Heaven.

The root was not destroyed but brought forth new life. The Old Testament version of Jesus lesson to His disciples, (John 15) and an illustration of Isaiah 11:10 for Jesus, Himself, is a new Branch from a root (Abraham) and its stump (tribe of Judah) cut down for the same reason-pride and rebellion.

Father,

We give you thanks for Your love that disciplines. These are “hard eucharisteo.” These are the graces given by a loving Father to produce much fruit.

As we gather around a bountiful table may we give thanks for ALL your blessings, especially the ones we do not fully understand, see, or desire. Thanksgiving precedes all the miracles!

Amen