Pride
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23
The King of the largest empire ever was Nebuchadnezzar. The book of Daniel gives mention of this King who had risen to the heights that no man had raised. Daniel mentions that God had made him King of king’s, ruler of all man and beast. But, listen to Nebuchadnezzar’s statement about himself. In Daniel 4:30 he declares, “Is this not the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty.”
God corrected King Nebuchadnezzar’s heart into an attitude of gratitude, through lowly circumstances. Seven verses later, in Daniel 4:37, he moved to, “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.” God loves you so much that he will use anything to show you His perfect love for you.
Is my heart centered on the truthfulness of who I am? Do I thank God for his favor in my successes? The joy of our salvation is the awesome joy of feeling God’s favor, and not falling into the trap of self adulation. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It is interesting to see how God uses some of the hardest things along with our successes to help us understand the joy of our salvation.
Father, thank you for protecting me from myself.