TITLE:  IT IS BETTER TO HUMBLE OURSELVES THAN GOD HUMBLING US

TITLE:  IT IS BETTER TO HUMBLE OURSELVES THAN GOD HUMBLING US

SCRIPTURE:

“Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. 34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.  His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.  35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.  No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” 36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”  (Daniel 4:33—37 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

            Nebuchadnezzar had a choice to either humble himself or keep being prideful.  He heard the interpretation of his dream from Daniel, but soon after that, he continued his attitude of pride.  He walked on his palace, looked out, and declared the greatness of Babylon, which he built with his own hands.  He did not honor nor acknowledge the God of Heaven who warned him through his dream. 

            Many things could have been avoided had we listened to wise advice.  God spoke to Nebuchadnezzar through the vision while he was lying in bed.  Sometimes, even when a warning is straightforward and does not need an interpretation, people still choose not to change the course of their attitudes.  Either we choose to humble ourselves, or our circumstances will do.  

            Immediately, what Nebuchadnezzar was warned about was fulfilled.  He was driven away from his people and ate grass like an ox.  His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.  Pride always cost us something.  Pride unchecked will destroy us.  Wherever pride exists in our lives, God will stand against that person and oppose them.

            Pride does not acknowledge God in a person’s life.  Until the time Nebuchadnezzar’s attitude changed, nothing was going to change for him.   Nebuchadnezzar made the best decision despite paying the price of pride.  At the end of that time, he said I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored.  We are not all that as we made ourselves out to be.  God is always above all, and we can learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s change of mind and attitude. 

• Learn to acknowledge God…he is the Most High.  We are not.
• Learn to honor and glorify God in all that we do.
• Learn that his dominion is an eternal dominion.  His rule is from everlasting to everlasting and has no end.  I am not any of that. 
• Learn that God’s kingdom endures from generation to generation.
• Learn that all people of the earth are regarded as nothing.  It does not matter how great they may seem.
• Learn that God has all the powers in heaven and over the people of the earth. 
• Learn that no one can hold back his hand or say to him; What have you done? 

These are unique characteristics of God from someone so proud and full of himself.  Whenever we recognize who God is, things will change.  When we are humble before God, he then exalts and lifts us.  The Bible urged us, saying, humble yourself before the mighty hand of God, and he will lift you up.  We are not called to promote ourselves.  We are called to humility, and God will promote us.  Nebuchadnezzar was again restored to a place of honor and splendor.  His advisers and nobles sought him out.  He was restored to his throne and became even greater than before.  Nebuchadnezzar’s fantastic change of heart and attitude said this… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” 

APPLICATION:

            Pride is a destructive force.  I learned today that I must always walk in humility before God.  I want to always give glory and honor to the one greater than me.  Today, I am reminded that God is above all and must be honored and feared.  I will continue to walk in humility before him and others.  I am grateful for this reminder to be humble and to give glory to whom all praise and glory is due. 

PRAYER:

            Heavenly Father, may your name be honored.  Thank you for reminding me that you are above all, yet you give grace to all who humble themselves before you.  Help me to be close with the humility of Jesus.  Please teach me how to humble myself daily.  Rebuke me in your love when I am prideful.  I ask your grace to help me walk humbly before you and others.  I look to you today and am grateful for your grace.  Amen!