Humbling the Proud

 Pride is a terrible problem for many people. Pride leads us into sin. It makes us see things from the wrong perspective, so we end up thinking our way is the best way. That is never true. It also makes us feel self-confident, which is never good. We should only be confident in the Lord, not in our own abilities or knowledge. That is why God hates to see pride swell up in any of us. God has to squash that pride in His own perfect way. He did this to the pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 4:37) After he was humbled by God by making him into a beast of the field for 7 years, Nebuchadnezzar praised, exalted, and honored the King of heaven. He declared that all His works are true and His ways are just. He acknowledged that God is able to humble those who walk in pride, as he had done to the king. He can humble us, too.

God's Word promises that God will exalt the humble, but He will humble the proud. He will bring them down off of their high horse. God does this in love, because he knows the damage done by pride. Still, the consequences are often severe, because it takes a lot to get us to listen to God and forsake our self-confidence. That is why we should guard against pride on a daily, even hourly, basis. Whenever we feel pride begin to come into our heart, we should confess it to God, and ask Him to root it out quickly. We should begin our day by reminding ourselves that without Jesus we can do nothing. (John 15:5) That way, we begin our day with the proper attitude, and it is easier to continue with it. Let's praise and exalt and honor the King of heaven, as Nebuchadnezzar did, humbling ourselves before Him, so we will not have to undergo those painful consequences of pride.

#NHBaptistdotorg

Tomorrow, I intend to read Daniel 5-7.