DON’T LET PRIDE DESTROY YOU
SCRIPTURE:
“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” 28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” (Daniel 4:24—32)
OBSERVATION:
King Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony of the miracles of God in his life. He had to learn the hard way. He was a proud, stubborn, and defiant man. King Nebuchadnezzar was given a chance to repent and change his ways. God does not delight in destroying people. God is righteous, a God of second, third, and many opportunities.
Through Daniel, whom King Nebuchadnezzar has come to trust, the king receives the interpretation of his dream. King Nebuchadnezzar was given this interpretation for his dream. Your Majesty, the Most High has issued against you a decree. You will be driven away from people. You will live with animals. You will eat grass like an ox. You will be drenched with the dew of heaven. You will be in that condition for seven years UNTIL YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEAVEN RULES.
Daniel gave the king this advice: Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
God was willing to forgive and have Nebuchadnezzar to continue to prosper. God is not willing to destroy anyone. God wanted Nebuchadnezzar to continue in his prosperity. God does not want to destroy lives. Nebuchadnezzar heard all that was coming. He KNEW the consequences were not good if he did not change his ways.
He was told to RENOUNCE HIS SINS by doing what is right. He was said to treat people right and to be kind to the oppressed. But the king didn’t listen. He was prideful. He came after he was told of his sins and boldly declared this: Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
Nebuchadnezzar had 12 months to change his ways, but he didn’t. He became even bolder and prideful, doing precisely the opposite of what God wanted him to do. God opposes the proud. Nebuchadnezzar had 12 months of grace to change, yet spit in God’s face and, as a result, precisely suffered the consequences of his pride. God is gracious and willing that no one suffers but our choices, even after so many times of warning. So many times, people say God is mean and unfair. Why would a God of love send people to hell? Why would a God of love let people suffer? God does not delight in seeing anyone go to hell or see people suffer. God gives so much grace, but we must renounce our sins and turn to him so we do not suffer the consequences of our actions and choices.
APPLICATION:
I am no different from Nebuchadnezzar. I am a prideful man, but I am grateful to Jesus for the work of the Holy Spirit, who always convicts me of sin and gives me chances to renounce my sins and get my life right with God. I know God’s grace and mercy are always available to me. I want to repent quickly when God points out my sinful behavior and ungodly attitude. I like the Lord to do this to me daily. I always want to be sensitive to sin and hear God.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of the danger of a prideful heart. Thank you for reminding me to repent and renounce the sin of pride in my life. I am grateful that you never desired to harm me. I ask that you continue to be gracious and merciful to me. Please help me live right and do the right thing at all times. I look to you today for your guidance and wisdom and to live in humility in your embrace. Amen!
