The Pride Problem

Happy Sunday. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon around 600 BC. It's fair to say that he was the most powerful king on the earth in his day. You likely know about him.

He was the king that threw the three Hebrew boys into the fiery furnace. Their Hebrew names were Haniah, Mishael, and Azariah. Strangely, they're more remembered by their Hebrew by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar gave them their new names.

He was king. He could do anything that he wanted. Remember the golden statue that was built to honor Nebuchadnezzar? He was a bit full of himself.

The word proud comes to mind. In the book of Daniel chapter 4, we read that one day Nebuchadnezzar was walking around his palace in Babylon. He was so self-centered and proud and narcissistic that he said this. And these words are from Daniel 4:30.

We're told 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." By my own power, mighty power, I've built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor. A little stuck on himself, don't you think?

Nebuchadnezzar has given himself a big hug. All the credit for all the good around him. God responds quickly. In the very next verses, we read, "While these words were still in the king's mouth, a voice came down from heaven."

"Oh King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared, the kingdom is taken from you. You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you until you've learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will. Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar.

He was driven away from human society. He ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, we are told, until his hair grew as long as eagle's feathers, and his nails became like bird's claws. Nebuchadnezzar is now living on the outskirts of society like an animal. This is a danger of pride.

I began with a story today to set the stage for the verse from Proverbs that I want us to look at. It's Proverbsap 11:2 11:2 of Proverbs says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wisdom is with the humble." When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wisdom is with the humble. Nebuchadnezzar went from the most powerful man on earth to living like a wild creature.

Pride was his downfall. In Luke chapter nine, Jesus, a lot's going on. Jesus sent the disciples out to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God and to heal. Also, in the same chapter, he fed 5,000 men, plus women and children, with five loaves and two fish.

As if that wasn't enough, later in that same chapter, Moses and Elijah appear on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus goes on and heals a demon-possessed boy. So much happens in Luke chapter 9. You would think that the disciples who saw all of these things would all be spiritual giants by now, ready to serve and change the world without pride.

Without pride being an issue at all. Sadly, we see that they were not immune. After witnessing so much, they had an argument in Luke 9:46. It's so sad.

Luke records, "An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest." An argument arose among the disciples who saw that to which one of them was the best, the greatest. That's so sad to me. The cult of Christ has suffered a great deal because of leaders arguing about who's the greatest.

The truth is Jesus was the greatest. Jesus is the greatest. And we are simply blessed sinners who are allowed into his presence. Pride will ruin whatever it touches.

There's a story about Captain James Cook. You remember him from history. He was an English explorer who sailed into Hawaii in 1778. When he first landed there, the natives treated him as a god.

He did nothing to stop them. He basked in the pro in that promotion. It seems in February of 1779, he sailed away, but he was turned back by a storm. And the natives were confused because they believed that no god would be turned by a back by bad weather and a skirmish broke out and Cook was killed.

His pride was indeed a big part of his downfall. So what's the cure? The cure for pride is humility. Humility is the choice to make.

Back to Proverbs 11:2. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wisdom is with the humble. James 4:6 tells us, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." As I've been reading the headlines this week, I read that Prince Andrew or the man formerly Prince Andrew was arrested.

Details are sparse, but there's little doubt that his association with Jeffrey Epstein is the issue. And people have been asking, will when will people be arrested in this country? And the debate begins. Are people untouchable?

Will anyone be punished? I have no idea about this world. I do however know about the next. When pride comes, then comes disgrace.

But wisdom is with the humble today. I thank God for his humble servants who have been such great examples to me. Pray with me. Lord, thank you for the difference makers for the good.

those men and women of God whose names are not known to many, but they have taught and they have loved and they have served and they have volunteered and they've made a big difference. Lord, keep us humble. Keep us humble and wise uh to follow you and to glorify you. It's in Jesus name we pray.

Amen. God bless. Have the best day.