Shaken Out of Comfort

What does it take to get the attention of someone who feels successful and secure? This describes Nebuchadnezzar, a king who seemed to have everything. And he lived in “comfort and prosperity” (NLT) until he had a troubling dream.

Suddenly, he felt terrified and helpless. Daniel was able to provide the dream’s meaning, but this message could not have been welcome: He was to “be driven away from mankind” and live like an animal until he recognized “that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.”

For twelve months, nothing seemed to happen. Then, in a moment when he was filled with pride about his accomplishments, “a voice came from heaven.” The time had come to fulfill the dream. Instantly, Nebuchadnezzar was humbled, stripped of power, prestige, and comforts. He was reduced to the life of an animal.

But, as Daniel prophesied, Nebuchadnezzar was not forgotten. His kingdom was preserved until finally he recognized “that it is heaven that rules.” In the end, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with praise for God and what he learned about Him.

This story reminds us that of the impact of pride. The Bible tells us that “everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 16:5), that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

It can be hard to remember this message. To get our attention, God may need to interrupt our lives in dramatic ways or cause us to experience problems that seem to have no solutions.

In your life, don’t allow pride to poison your heart and mind. Seek to humble yourself before God.