OVERCOME THE PRIDE OF LIFE (3)

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by MY mighty power and for the honour of MY majesty?” – Daniel 4:30b

The Word of God offers vivid examples of individuals who failed to OVERCOME THE PRIDE of LIFE: “At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by MY mighty power and for the honour of MY majesty? While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voce fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you” (Dan.4: 29-31). This passage describes Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation by the Almighty God, in response to his display of the pride of life. He was driven from the midst of men, to dwell with the beasts of the field, and to eat grass like oxen, until he acknowledged “that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses” (v.32b).

Let’s learn from few Bible examples of the Pride of Life:

Nebuchadnezzar, though a heathen king, was well acquainted with the knowledge of God through Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel made him understand that his life achievements, military victories, the vast kingdom he ruled over and the riches thereof, all came from the Lord, not by his strength. God, therefore, expected humility of heart and gratitude from Nebuchadnezzar. However, he failed to render both to the Lord. Seeing the magnificence of the city of Babylon, rather than appreciate the Almighty, the king was moved to speak out of pride and arrogance. God deflated Nebuchadnezzar for his pride – his pride of life – by turning him into a beast to humble him.

King Hezekiah was a good king who tactlessly fell into pride. Because he feared the Lord and was faithful to Him, God abundantly blessed him and he was exceedingly prosperous. However, when prosperity and abundance overwhelmed him, pride and recklessness set in. Hezekiah fell sick, and would have died, but he cried to the Lord. God heard him and gave him fifteen years more to live. Sometime after having recovered from the sickness, the king of Babylon, hearing of his sickness and recovery, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah. Then Hezekiah, driven by the pride of life – the pride of what he had and had accomplished all over the years, welcomed them gladly and carelessly exposed his treasure house, treasures, and storehouses. God’s Word of Judgement was swift (Isa.39: 1-8).

Haman was guilty of the pride of life at every turn. Being the king’s most valued official, he wanted everybody to kowtow to him and get all the attention (Est.5:9). Once, he invited his friends and his wife Zeresh and boasted of the splendour of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honoured him, and how he had elevated him above the king’s officials and servants (Est.5:10-11). He added: “Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but ME to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king” (Est. 5:12).

Haman was domineering, glory-seeking, and felt too big. However, all that he had was not enough for him; he wanted one more thing: to destroy Mordecai and his people, the Jews. He devised a plan to eliminate Mordecai by hanging (Est.5: 9-14). But, Haman’s schemes failed and he was hanged in Mordecai’s stead (Est.7:10).

All three stories that had to do with the pride of life had sad endings. Even for a good person like Hezekiah, the pride of life brought bad repercussions on him and his descendants. Nebuchadnezar humbly, concluded: “Now I, nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose work are truth, and His ways justice. And those who WALK in PRIDE He is able to put down” (v.37). Even as Believers in Christ, we must beware of how we walk, and be prepared to overcome the pride of life and walk in humility, for fulfilled destinies.