A humble heart pleases God. The Lord has said this through His prophet Isaiah, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (66:2b)  We read in the Psalms:

Christ Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, the first four having to do with humility.

 

There is no doubt. Humility pleases God. The humble person may enjoy fellowship with their Creator. Sadly, humanity has always viewed humility as our current culture views smoking, something that is hazardous to your health and should be restricted.  We live in a world preoccupied with brains, bodies, and bank accounts. The by-product of all that is a perpetual and persistent self-love fest.

“Love yourself” is a popular mantra. Not a new one, just one that has become mainstream. Our schoolchildren are encouraged to write essays on “Why I am important” or “Why I love myself.”  Advertising campaigns encourage us to spend our extra money, or even money we don’t have, on ourselves because, “You’re worth it.”  We drive around with bumper stickers that boast about our elementary student who has made the honor roll. The only humor in this is that it all transpires during an age of participation awards! Society has taken “Ol’ Blue Eyes” at his word, and everyone sings to himself, and anyone who will listen, “I did it my way!” Or if they haven’t done anything, “I want it my way!”

 

But in a list of seven things which Almighty God hates (Yes, such a list exists. Just follow the link.), pride is listed first. We also read from the wisdom of Proverbs 16:5a, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord…” and “A high look, and a proud heart…is sin” (21:4). To drive home the point we have the example of King Uzziah, who the Chronicler says was “marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction,” (2 Chronicles 26:16).

Daniel 4 is the text for this evening’s Bible study. Here we have King Nebuchadnezzar enjoying the golden years of his life and rule. The world was conquered, the borders were secure, and all the economic indicators were strong. He had palaces, power, and prosperity. Despite all that, he had a problem. He was troubled, once again, by an awful dream.

 

Daniel was the Lord’s instrument. He interpreted the King’s dream and identified Nebuchadnezzar’s principal problem as pride. Up to this point he had failed to acknowledge that it is ultimately God who rules. The king’s world was bound up in himself. Nebuchadnezzar’s problem was not low self-esteem. He esteemed himself too highly, and did not esteem God at all.  That had to change.  What was the remedy?  Verse 25 provides it. Nebuchadnezzar needed to acknowledge “that the Most High rules in the kingdoms of men.” Nebuchadnezzar must look away from himself, and look to Almighty God. This is the proper therapy for all who suffer from a proud heart.

 

Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony is powerful. Not because he was a powerful man but because he finally acknowledged that heaven rules!