Weekly Wisdom: If you puff yourself up youll get the wind knocked right out of you. Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. This principle can be clearly seen in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, by examining Daniel chapter 4. King Nebuchadnezzar started out praising God and giving Him the credit: It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation (Daniel 4:2-3). Here, Nebuchadnezzar is humble. However, over the course of a year, something happened that caused the king to begin to take credit for his circumstances: As the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, 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 4:29-30, italics added). Nebuchadnezzar is no longer giving God credit. Instead, he is full of pride and is puffing himself up. However, as is always the case, Pride goes before destruction. So, God punished Nebuchadnezzar by sending him out to live like a wild animal for seven years (See Daniel 4:31-33). Then, Daniel 4:34 records the kings response: At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Interestingly, the king said that his pride caused him to lose his sanity and that now, as a result of being humbled by God, his sanity was restored. In order to humble him, God humiliated him. Indeed, a humiliating experience will almost always humble someone. The chapter concludes with Nebuchadnezzars reflection: 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). Knowing Gods Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from knowing His Word. God has given us His Word as a guide for our life. However, His Word wont help us if we dont study it, know it, and live by it. Therefore, we must diligently study and apply Gods Word if we wish for it to have an impact on our lives. Jesus promised, If you abide in My word ..., you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free (John 8:31-32, AMP). Thats a promise that if we abide in His Word, we will know the Truth, because His Word is the Truth. So it makes sense that God told the Israelites, Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8). Joshua later repeated a similar instruction: Be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left (Joshua 23:6). Why is it so important to follow Gods Word? Because His Word keeps us from turning aside to the right or to the left; it keeps us on the straight and narrow path that leads to life (see Matthew 7:13-14). Therefore, abide in His Word, because His Word will keep you from sin.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 10:48:32 +0000
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