14th January 2023

Pride

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Pride is a ruthless taskmaster! It will convince us that we have all the answers and that we know better than even God. In time, however, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity, and also his throne. In his distress, he humbly turned to God, and God delivered him and restored his power. His life was changed, and he issued a decree declaring that “I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven. … And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37).

The Bible reading, today, gives us the testimony of a king who has learned a harsh lesson about the sin and pride that was in his own heart. In these verses, and in several others that precede them, we are given the details of Nebuchadnezzar's journey from sin to salvation.

The story of King Nebuchadnezzar, is of a man, who was the most powerful, and riches man of his day. He was also a man of great pride, but God humbled Nebuchadnezzar, who

finally came to his senses and comes before God's throne a broken man and in great repentance. This pagan king had an actual conversion experience, and I believe that we will see him some day in Heaven. As evidence of his conversion, Nebuchadnezzar gives a loud testimony so that all the people in his kingdom will know what has happened to him. The story of King Nebuchadnezzar is often referred to as “The Gospel According To Nebuchadnezzar.

Read

Daniel 4:34-37.

Prayer

Father God, help me to walk humbly each day with you, and not to think to highly of myself, remembering that I am a sinner, who has been saved by grace. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.