I Was Like A Beast

I was like a beast toward you…

Psalm 73:21-22
When my soul was embittered,
    when I was pricked in heart,

I was brutish and ignorant;
    I was like a beast toward you.

“I was like a beast toward you…”
 

In our natural state, we are embittered toward God. Completely brutish, ignorant and beastly. Filled with pride, unable to see how utterly poor we are in spirit.

King Nebuchadnezzar in his pride stood on the roof of the palace and boasted of all his accomplishments - how he had built up Babylon with his mighty power. 

But even as he beat his chest in self-congratulation, he was humbled moments later and for seven years he became an insane beast in the wild.

While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,  and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”
Daniel 4:31-33

After his seven year curse had passed over him by God’s hand of grace, the King wrote: 

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 4:37

There was no more boasting - no more self-congratulatory bleating. 

Only praise to the Almighty who is able to humble. 

Without the Lord we are banal. We are beasts. Hard-hearted, treacherous and filled with wild self-serving impulses. Under our social refinery we hide a selfish ambition that is relentless. Darker motives that lead to destruction. 

As the character Daniel Plainview confessed in the film “There Will Be Blood” 

“I have a competition in me, I want no one else to succeed. I hate most people. There are times when I, I look at people and I see nothing worth liking. I wanna earn enough money I can get away from everyone.” 

In my first moments of experiencing the tender love of Christ, I became aware of the juxtaposition. The stark contrast between my hard heart - and the purity, softness and innocence the Lord was calling me to. 
 

I became aware of His tenderness that had been leading my beastly heart to Him...

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Even in my beastliness - my impish arrogance … nevertheless - He was always with me. He has redeemed me and afterward, He will receive me to glory. 

Just like Nebuchadnezzar, the beastly years are over. The curse of insanity is broken.

With clear eyes now I can see, and my heart can only  praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just.

Born in the wild, born in the wild

I grew up in the wilderness

Didn't know much about openness
-Tems  

Psalm 73:21-28
When my soul was embittered,
    when I was pricked in heart,

I was brutish and ignorant;
    I was like a beast toward you.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength[b] of my heart and my portion forever.

For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

But for me it is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord God my refuge,
    that I may tell of all your works.

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Song Mentioned: Born in the Wild by Tems: https://youtu.be/CGEMlE6kcpc?si=XZ_Ye...