Pride Came Before a Fall
Notes
Transcript
FOXX Fear is a powerful motivator. $20 bill found in Mass. OK couple sitting on beach. Help kidnapped call highway patrol ford van cream and blue phone numbers.
What is fear motivating you to do? This is NOT a political question.
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,
30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
31 While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,
32 and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”
33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers, and his nails were like birds’ claws.
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.
37 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.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Ever have a conversation with yourself? Sounds like Nebu was!
While the words were still in his mouth...
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
He was driven from among men...
By his own mind - no one around him is forcing him to leave. His arrogance brought it on, but as is true of people today when their mind betrays them...
Mental health is a difficult issue facing the church today. BTW Hope Station. In this time of pandemic, we are seeing depression be an ever increasing problem. The spiritual warfare for church leadership is hard. For you to undergird your pastoral staff is of utmost importance. But praying for each other is as well! Noel.
When we think we can handle it without help, we set ourselves up like Nebu did. He convinced himself he was the source of his own success.
By the Word of the Lord - It was told to him what to expect just a year prior. Daniel was his trusted wise man. He had no reason to think what he said would not come to pass. But like so many, because it didnt happen immediately, Nebu thought he had escaped the consequences of his pride. And his pride continued to grow.
Ultimately we are talking about sin. Takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you wanted to stay, costs more than you can pay.
But for his good. - It may appear as a harsh judgement to be humiliated and belittled with insanity, but as we have the perspective of the whole story, we see the gentle, compassionate hand of God to protect him and bring him back to Himself.
Still today, the consequences of sin are designed to draw us to God. To make us desire His fellowship. To restore the relationship.
We face consequences to our choices every day. Jim Elliot: Not just a sign post but the fork in the road. I want people to be forced to choose because of the Christ they see in me.
His reason returned. Wonder what Daniel prayed for him.
He repented - vv.34-35 are both agreeing with the rightness of God and praise to Him.
He worshipped - HE>i
He was blessed - still more greatness was added to me. There is always a blessing associated with obedience. How was Nebu obedient?
13 Fear Yahweh your God, worship Him, and take your oaths in His name.
How have you chosen to worship Him? By your attendance here each week? In your prayer closet each day? Sharing your testimony to your friends and family? Helping someone in need on the spur of the moment?