“Then Daniel replied and said before the king, ‘Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, greatness, honor, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. Now because of the greatness which He granted him, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages trembled and feared in his presence; whomever he wished, he killed, and whomever he wished, he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. But when his heart was arrogant and his spirit became so overbearing that he behaved presumptuously, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his dignity was taken away from him. He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of animals, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes’” (Daniel 5:17-21 NASB)
Look at God’ timing! Our Bible Study classes are just about to embark on a new study this week, a verse-by-verse examination of The Book of Daniel. I don’t think it was pure coincidence that when I turned on the TV last Tuesday as I was making up the bed, a renowned teacher of the word was discussing the Book of Daniel. Specifically, he referred to the nation of Babylon, which was the indisputable power of the world, in his words, for 150 years. We know from Jeremiah 34:2 that Jerusalem was given into the hands of Babylon by the Lord, justly so.
But Babylon would not retain its ranking forever. The Medes and the Persians came on the scene and the prophecy of spoken by Daniel came to fruition and brought an end to Babylon’s world dominance. Again, justly so.
Speaking of dominance, per the ancient historian, Herodotus, the city had a wall that was 320 feet high, and 80 feet wide. The bible teacher I referred to above, and other scholars described the wall as being so wide that four chariots could ride across the wall, side by side. It seemed impenetrable. However, know that nothing can stop our just God from doing what He wants to do. Also know that He does not like pride and arrogance. Due to the pride and arrogance of Nebuchadnezzar, the city was overcome, and the Babylon kingdom became non- existence. As a side note, know that only the kingdom of God will exist through eternity.
The right now, applicable lessons for us, in the Monday Short meditation are as follows: (1) There are consequences that result from pride and arrogance, and they are not good. (Even the mightiest can fall due to pride and arrogance.) and (2) God’s justice is always just.
Ponder on these things and do a personal inventory of how you are doing in keeping pride and arrogance from setting you up for a bad consequence in some area of your life, or in terms of where you will spend an eternity after this life. Have a great week! Love you! Be blessed!
“Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.” (Proverbs 16:18 The Good News Translation)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King