"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble." King Nebuchadnezzar, like many successful people, developed a pride problem. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a great tree that reached to heaven and an angel was sent to chop down the tree but leave the stump. Nebuchadnezzar's wise men could not interpret the dream so Nebuchadnezzar called on Daniel to interpret the dream. Daniel explained the dream meant that if Nebuchadnezzar did not acknowledge the God of Israel as the One who rules the affairs of mankind, then he must learn this lesson through his own humiliation. A year passed and Nebuchadnezzar was unchanged. One day Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of the royal palace where he could view numerous ornate temples, the hanging gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world), and the outer wall of the city, which was wide enough for chariots driven by four horses to pass each other on the top of the wall. As he looked at these notable accomplishments, Nebuchadnezzar boasted to himself of his mighty power and glory (vs. 30). Immediately, he heard a voice from heaven pronounce judgment on him and Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and was driven away from Babylon and lived as a wild animal for a period of time. At the end of God's appointed time of judgment, Nebuchadnezzar's reason returned and his kingdom was restored and he acknowledged that God was supreme over him. Nebuchadnezzar learned that God can humble the proud as well as exalt the humble. Do you have a problem with pride? If so, don't wait for God to teach you a hard lesson. If Nebuchadnezzar had humbled himself as Daniel advised, God would not need to have humbled him. So, follow the advice Daniel gave to King Nebuchadnezzar and repent of your pride, practice righteousness, and show compassion to others (vs. 27).
