Those who walk in pride he is able to humble

Those who walk in pride he is able to humble

Scripture: 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.” Daniel 4:27

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 4:37

Observation: Daniel Chapter 4 tells us the most interesting story of how the great King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a strange dream about a great tree that was cut down to the stump after judgment from Heaven. Daniel explained to the king that the tree represented him, and how God would judge him for his pride by giving him insanity for 7 years where he would live alone. However, after the 7 years, Nebuchadnezzar would acknowledge the greatness of God, and His sovereignty over the whole world. Then he would be fully restored and his kingdom given back to him.

The major lesson from this chapter is found in the second passage, that we must beware of pride. We must always remember that God is sovereign and everything happens according to His will, according to His purpose. There is no room for us to become proud and think we are great on our own strength, riches or abilities. All that we have comes from God, and we must never forget that, but be grateful to Him in humility and honor Him for all He gives us and enables us to do. The Scripture says that God despises the proud but gives grace to the humble. Jesus said “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled but whoever humbles himself will be exalted”, and “whoever wants to be the first must be the very last, and the servant of all”. Jesus showed us the way by His humility and humble death on the cross. Always, always beware of pride, and remember to be humble.

Secondly, it is interesting that in the first passage, despite the judgment shown by God in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel showed the king a way out. If he would humble himself and renounce his sins and instead do what was right and being kind to the oppressed, his prosperity would continue. To willfully continue in ways of sin is a way of pride and rebellion towards God. But if we repent and turn back to God and do right, His judgment will be averted. He is a forgiving, merciful God, but we must be humble and come to Him in sincerity.

Application: Acknowledge that God is sovereign over the whole earth. Thank Him for all that He has given us. Humble ourselves before God, and ask Him to forgive the pride that is in our hearts. If we are in a particular sin, repent, and seek God humbly. He will forgive us. He gives grace to the humble.

Prayer: Father God, You are sovereign over the whole earth. Everything belongs to You, and all I have has been given by You. Thank You, Lord, for all the grace You have given me. Forgive my moments of pride O Lord, but give me a humble heart like You, Lord Jesus. Forgive my sins, lead me to repentance, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit and a deep desire to follow Your ways. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.