2025-03-23 THE DANGER OF PRIDE
Title: When God Unplugs Our Pride
Have you ever experienced a total meltdown when your Wi-Fi suddenly goes out? One moment, everything is running smoothly, and the next, you're staring at the dreaded word: buffering. It's a small reminder of how much we rely on things we can't control. But what happens when God decides to unplug something much bigger—our pride? In the story of King Nebuchadnezzar from Daniel 4, we see a powerful lesson about pride and how God uses it to reset our lives, not to destroy us. Let's explore how this ancient story can help us reconnect with God today.
Pride is a sneaky thing. It convinces us that we're in control, that we don't need anyone else, and that our successes are solely our own doing. King Nebuchadnezzar thought the same. He looked at his vast kingdom and believed he was the mastermind behind it all. But God had a different plan. He sent a dream to Nebuchadnezzar, a warning that his pride would lead to a fall. Despite the warning, the king continued in his arrogance, and God allowed him to experience a humbling transformation—living like an animal until he acknowledged God's sovereignty.
This story isn't just about a king from long ago; it's about us. We all battle with pride, thinking we're the center of our universe. But God wants us to recognize that everything we have is a gift from Him. Our talents, our successes, our very lives are not our own. They're reflections of God's glory. When we fail to see this, we risk a spiritual disconnect, much like a Wi-Fi outage, but with far greater consequences.
So, what can we do to avoid the pitfalls of pride? First, we need to recognize it. Pride blinds us, making us think we're self-sufficient. But the truth is, we're not. We need to acknowledge our dependence on God for everything. Second, we must understand the result of pride. It leads to a fall, just as it did for Nebuchadnezzar. God is patient, but there comes a time when He will humble us if we don't humble ourselves. Finally, the remedy to pride is repentance. Like Nebuchadnezzar, we need to look up to heaven, acknowledge God's rule, and give Him the glory He deserves.
The point is clear: God is in control, not us. He gives and takes away, not to harm us, but to bring us back to Him. So, what will you do this week to humble yourself before God? Will you acknowledge His hand in your life and give Him the credit He deserves? Remember, it's much less painful to humble yourself than for God to do it for you.
Let's pray: Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging that we often let pride take the driver's seat in our lives. Help us to see our need for You in every aspect of our lives. Teach us to humble ourselves and give You the glory for all that we have and all that we are. May we reflect Your glory in everything we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.