"The Cost of Pride"

Daniel 4:24-37,

Daniel 4:24–37 NLT

“ ‘This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king. You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules. “ ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’ “But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’ “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’ “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws. “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’ “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

Daniel - 14yrs old - interpreted the King’s vision

Not too many in authority or higher ranks will submit to the voice of God speaking through His Prophet.

Vs. 29 - God’s judgment doesn’t always happen instantly…it took 12 months.

Ecc.8:11,

Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV 1900

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Vs.29 - God gives us space to repent.

Vs.30 - Pride brings judgment (“I”)

Prov.16:18,

Proverbs 16:18 KJV 1900

Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.

What Daniel had predicted was now coming to pass.

A. Departure - Vs. 31

B. Demoted - Vs. 32

C. Residence

D. Change & Fulfillment of the prophesy - Vs.33

E. Recognition (Afflicted in my Pride)

F. Lesson & Praise - Vs. 34-35(God is in total control of our lives & He alone deserves ALL the praise

Prov.16:5,

Proverbs 16:5 NKJV

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

Restoration - Vs.36

Even in our craziness, God still covers us!

Declaration - Vs.37 (From Test to a Testimony)

Humble yourself & be quick to repent.

The lower you go, the closer you get to God, but the higher you go, the farther you get away from God.

Ps.51:1-4,

Psalm 51:1–4 GW

Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy. In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. I admit that I am rebellious. My sin is always in front of me. I have sinned against you, especially you. I have done what you consider evil. So you hand down justice when you speak, and you are blameless when you judge.