Latest / Let It Shape Your Life — Daily with Chaplain Charlie / October 20 — When Pride Finally Looks Up
Transcript
- October 20 When Pride Finally Looks Up Topic: Pride. Scripture: Daniel 4:34–37 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?” 36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase. Context After boasting in Babylon’s greatness and his own power, Nebuchadnezzar is humbled. When his reason returns, his first recorded action is to look toward heaven and acknowledge a kingdom greater than his own. Let It Shape Your Life Pride is not merely thinking you are talented. It is forgetting the size of the universe around your talent. Nebuchadnezzar had real power, real achievements, and real influence. His problem was the story he told about them: “I built this by my power for my glory.” Humility does not require pretending you have accomplished nothing. Notice that his kingdom and greatness are restored. The change is in perspective. He can now hold success underneath a larger sovereignty. Looking up is a healthy habit for anyone with responsibility, influence, money, intelligence, or recognition. It reminds us that we are not selfcreated, self-sustaining, or permanent. Pride shrinks when gratitude and accountability get bigger. You can appreciate what has been built without worshiping the builder in the mirror. Think About It What accomplishment are you most likely to tell as if you were the only person and God were nowhere, in the story?