True Humility

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, you can take them and open them to Daniel chapter 4. This morning, we continue in the book of Daniel by following the aftermath of Nebuchadnezzar’s encounters with God’s people, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azeriah and their unwavering faithfulness to God, and God’s unwavering faithfulness to his people who devote themselves to him. Up to this point, we have seen Daniel and his companions faithfulness to God in the midst of a dietary test (when they were given the kings food and drink but chose to abstain from it), the dream test (when Daniel was able, through God’s provision of insight and wisdom, to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream of the statue), and the devotion test (when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given to ultimatum to bow down and worship the golden statue or burn, and God delivered them through the fire). During all of this, we have also been following Nebuchadnezzar and his heart not only towards Israel, but also his heart towards God. At the conclusion of his first dream being interpreted, Nebuchadnezzar made a powerful confession concerning the God of heaven, but that confession would soon be followed by another attempt at exalting himself through the statue. This would lead to him witnessing the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and that would also conclude with Nebuchadnezzar exalting the God above. Now, some time has passed (scholars disagree on how many years), but we get into chapter 4, where we find a very different Nebuchadnezzar than the one we have been reading about up to this point (explain this is a letter from Nebuchadnezzar and summarize the dream). So if you will, stand and read with me Daniel 4:28-36.

Body

(1) A Humble Position (v.4-33)

a. Pride leads to repeated mistakes (v.4-17)

b. Pride leads to self-exaltation (v.28-30)

c. Pride leads to humility (v.19-27, 31-33)

Application: Let us take caution from the scriptures concerning pride:

Proverbs 16:18- Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Luke 14:11- For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1 Peter 5:5- Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6- But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

(2) A Humble Address (v.1-3)

a. Humility leads to Urgency

Application: Brothers and sisters, let us take this lesson from Nebuchadnezzar on leveraging our spheres of influence for the sake of making the God of Heaven known.

b. Humility leads to Testimony

Application: Learn to utilize your personal story on how God has saved you and has been faithful to you to lead others to Him.

(3) A Humble Proclamation (v.34-37)

a. Humility leads to exalting God

- exalts him as King

- exalts him as Sovereign

- exalts him as Righteous

b. Humility leads to God exalting

Illustration: Christ and the Cross

Conclusion

And so brothers and sisters, let me challenge you by concluding with this...humility is indeed a core virtue in the Christian life. Without humility, you will not praise and honor the God of heaven, but seek to praise and honor yourself. Without humility, you will not participate in the work of the Kingdom the way God intends, but you will do it for selfish gain and ambitions. Without humility, you will not consider others valuable and you will not participate in the work of evangelism. Therefore, let this passage serve as a reminder to us this morning, the invaluable worth of humility before the God of heaven, lifting our eyes to the heavens and glorifying God as we continue on mission.