Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
Pride: Ignorance of God
In the 1960s, it was predicted that in the future everyone would be famous for fifteen minutes. That turned out to be very prescient. Everyone today seems to have their moment of fame because of social media, live television feeds, and everyone’s eagerness to get their face on a screen in front of people. Everyone is famous for fifteen minutes.
It would do well for all of us to have some perspective on our fame, or lack of it, and how short-lived it can be. Nebuchadnezzar ruled a world empire with what seemed to be an endless supply of power and fame, yet it was short-lived. The Bible tells us that God set Nebuchadnezzar up, and God was the same One Who would take him down a few notches.
That is exactly what God did. God literally turned him out into the field, and Nebuchadnezzar lived for a long time as a beast, hair and fingernails growing long just like an animal’s. For years, Nebuchadnezzar was proudly looking in at himself and at his fame. Then he looked down at the ground as a beast. Then the Bible tells us that something happened. He looked up.
Verse 34 says, “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes to heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.” Later, Nebuchadnezzar admitted that those who walk in pride God is able to abase.
Pride is living in ignorance of God. When I say “living in ignorance,” I don’t mean the person is mentally deficient. I mean that there are things proud people don’t know because they don’t want to know. They have ignored them. That is exactly where Nebuchadnezzar was. He saw all his power and might, but what he didn’t see, although God had given him numerous occasions to see it, was God’s power.
When Nebuchadnezzar conquered God’s people Israel, he offered their temple treasures before his god as if to say that his god gave him the victory. The Bible tells us very clearly that God gave him the victory. God was in control.
Pride is living in ignorance of God. It is living as if there were no God. Pride is not just a matter of thinking of oneself as great and important; it is failing to recognize Who God is and what He has given.
Today, whatever your circumstances, whether things are going well or poorly, do not ignore God. Remember that there is a God in heaven Who has given you everything that you have.