THE WAY UP IS DOWN

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”    1 Peter 5:6 NIV

God wil not tolerate pride from anyone. If self-exalted ones refuse to humble them-selves, they leave God no other choice than to do it for them. One day, pride got the better of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon: "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 (Da 4:30 NLT). That was raw, unvarnished, arrogant pride. A year earlier, Daniel had told the king through the interpretation of his dream that he should change his ways. But he had ignored Daniel's warning. Now God said enough was enough and interrupted his proud moment: "While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, 'O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer the ruler of this kingdom" (Da 4:31 NLT). During the next seven years, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and was reduced to the status of an animal in the forests. That's how low pride brought him! Someone once said, “A man wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package." Only when Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself did God have mercy on him and give him back his sanity and his reign. That's when he declared God's sovereignty over all kings and kingdoms: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud" (Da 4:37 NLT). So be humble!