When we left Nebuchadnezzar, his situation seemed rather hopeless.
He had been driven to the fields like and animal. He was no longer reigning over his kingdom. His mind had been darkened.
Sin darkens our minds. Sin makes us rationalize all sorts of behaviors that in the light of day everyone knows are wrong. Bluntly stated: sin makes us stupid.
C.S. Lewis in Letter #21 of The Screwtape Letters writes about how Satan, when he is attacking, first seeks to darken the mind. In Letter #21 it is a moral attack regards sexual temptation. But Lewis’ point is not the end point of sexual sin, rather it is the method—darkening the mind first.
When in our minds, we “deeply feel” or “believe” we are due this or that, then we will naturally come to expect it. Or, when we “deeply feel” or “believe” that certain outcomes are a direct result of our human effort, we will naturally see ourselves as the author.
Nebuchadnezzar believes all that been accomplished in Babylon is because of him. Slowly, over time, drip-by-drip, compliment-by-compliment—he has come to believe in his grandeur—and his mind has grown dark and unaware of the God of the Universe.
As we read this story, it is easy to slip into a view that having this darkened mind is an all or nothing proposition. But that is not the case.
Parts of our minds can be darkened. Parts of our lives can be consumed. Parts of lives can be lived as if we are animals.
We can be, if you will, part human and part animal.
The good news, the great news, is that when a person is in such a state, they are not beyond God’s reach. After a period of time Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses.
We don’t know the triggering event. Maybe he simply woke up one morning. Maybe he caught the glimpse of a sunrise and realized the beauty and grandeur of God. Maybe a human showed him, an animal, some kindness.
God works through all these ways, and many more.
A darkened mind can be redeemed for those willing to turn and repent.
We are saved by grace, which opens our life to his full mercy and transformation.
Any parts of your life in the dark?