A Lesson from Nebuchadnezzar

October 21, 2019

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians 4:7

Nebuchadnezzar, one of history’s most powerful kings, learned this lesson the hard way. Daniel 4 tells us that King Nebuchadnezzar was convinced that he was the source of all he had. God’s answer was quick and to the point: He took away the king’s sanity and drove him outside to eat grass like a cow. Seven years later, when God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity, the king no longer exulted in his possessions, but glorified God as sovereign over all (Daniel 4:34-37).

Nebuchadnezzar’s sin was one of pride and the illusion of self-sufficiency.He basically said, “Look at what I did all by myself.” Perhaps you have felt that way. “Nobody gave me anything—I worked hard for everything I have!” It’s likely true that you worked long hours and persevered to get where you are. But God created you in the first place and gave you the strength and talent to do what you do.

It’s easy to forget where your opportunities came from. It’s so easy, in fact, that God spoke through Moses to the Israelites that, even though they had been delivered from slavery and led out of the wilderness by the hand of God alone, it would be very easy in the middle of their blessings to forget how they got where they were once they arrived in the Promised Land. We have spiritual amnesia. We forget what He has done.

There’s nothing wrong with finding satisfaction in your work and being very happy about what you accomplish. But gratitude is better than pride. Replace pride with thankfulness. Remember that everything you have has been given to you. Remember to thank God for creating you and giving you the gifts, skills, and strengths that allow you to succeed.

  • Take a moment to count your blessings, and thank God for them.
  • How will you regularly remind yourself to be thankful, not prideful?