Pride Comes Before the Fall
What was Nebuchadnezzar's downfall? What caused this great king and conqueror to lose everything, even his mind?
"You, O king, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, 'Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live like the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.' "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle 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 the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. (Daniel 4:23-25)
Nebuchadnezzar is a recognizable name. Most everyone has at least heard of the king of ancient Babylon - if not before the Gulf War, then certainly during that conflict and the recent war with Iraq. By earthly terms, Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty and powerful ruler, conquering nation after nation until he ruled a huge empire. Nebuchadnezzar had the habit of allowing each nation he conquered to keep its gods. He took their land; he took their freedom; he took everything they had - but he let them keep their gods. Sometimes, he even worshipped their gods himself. This practice worked pretty well until he conquered the little nation of Judah. It was here that he ran into God Almighty, the one and only true God. It was here that his ploy didn't work quite so well. It was here that Nebuchadnezzar ran into his Creator - the God Who was greater than Nebuchadnezzar.
Yes, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Judah. He allowed the king to take the finest young men back to Babylon to serve in his court. For a time, He allowed Nebuchadnezzar to continue to rule his empire. But when Nebuchadnezzar's pride would not be bent, when the great king of Babylon would not bow to God Almighty, then God caused Nebuchadnezzar to go insane and lose his rule of Babylon for seven long years.
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What was Nebuchadnezzar's downfall? What caused this great king and conqueror to lose everything, even his mind? Pride. Plain old unadulterated pride. Nebuchadnezzar was so proud of his accomplishments, so proud of everything he had done, so proud of himself - he would not bow down to the God who not only created Nebuchadnezzar, but who made it possible for Nebuchadnezzar to do everything he had done, including taking every breath.
You and I can fall into the same trap. Pride is one of the most powerful and dangerous temptations you and I can face. When we receive accolades, it is pride that makes us beam and enjoy the compliments that are heaped upon us. When we make a mistake, it is pride that keeps us from acknowledging that we have been wrong. When we've injured another, it is pride that keeps us from asking for forgiveness. When we've been injured, it is pride that keeps us from forgiving the other.
Don't let pride stand between you and God. Don't let pride stand between you and the many blessings God wants to bestow upon you. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, acknowledge God's hand in each and every thing you do. Don't take credit for yourself. Give Him the glory!
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2
From Dogwood Ministries, Inc.
J-R-and-Bonnie@dogwoodministries.org
Used with Permission
