Pride. The Great Sin.Sample

God’s response to pride

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right, and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble." (Daniel 4:37)

Daniel 4 presents an amazing story about King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon. He had become "great and strong," and his dominion extended to "all the earth." This made him extremely proud and arrogant.

The Lord God warned Nebuchadnezzar in a dream that he would lose his power and his sanity “until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes" (Daniel 4:25). For a full year, God gave Nebuchadnezzar a chance to change his attitude. However, he remained just as proud as before. Walking on the roof of his palace, he exclaimed, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30). Then God's judgment came. King Nebuchadnezzar became insane, people chased him away from the city, and he lived with the wild animals for seven years. How deep this man had fallen!

Finally, Nebuchadnezzar's mind returned to him, and he praised God. He was restored as king and became even greater than he was before. He had learned the lesson that God is above all.

Are there important lessons that you learned ‘the hard way’? Which ones?