Title: God Resist The Proud
Memorize: I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. Isaiah 42:8 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Daniel 4:28-37 (Nkjv)
[28] All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
[29] At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon.
[30] The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
[31] While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
[32] And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
[33] That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
[34] And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
[35] All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
[36] At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
[37] Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
Message:
There is a tendency in every human being to be proud, especially when they have possessions, talents, success, wealth, influence, and the like that those who surround them do not have.
The Bible tells us that God resists the proud while He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
In 2 Chronicles 26:1-21, Uzziah did the will of God when he was young, but as he grew, he became proud, and he died as a leper.
Likewise, in Esther 2:1-4, Queen Vashti was replaced by Esther due to her pride. Also, Herod was destroyed because of pride (Acts 12:21-23).
Beloved, never get to the point where you feel like you are better than others. God is a jealous God, and He will not share His glory with anyone.
Once you start feeling that people cannot achieve anything without you, that you are the best, or that you are better than others, quickly command pride to leave your life to avoid being resisted by God.
If you have people around you who tend to praise you unduly for your achievements, please ask them to glorify God instead of you, so as not to put yourself in trouble.
My dear child, anyone who accepts praises that are due to God is contending with Him, and that is very dangerous. In any situation you find yourself, always remain humble.
Key Point:
Don’t contend with God; remain humble.
HYMN 43: LEAD US HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD US
1 Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us
O’er The World’s Tempestuous Sea;
Guard Us, Guide Us, Keep Us, Feed Us,
For We Have No Help But Thee,
Yet Possessing Every Blessing
If Our God Our Father Be.
2 Saviour, Breathe Forgiveness O’er Us;
All Our Weakness Thou Dost Know;
Thou Didst Tread This Earth Before Us,
Thou Didst Feel lts Keenest Woe;
Lone And Dreary, Faint And Weary,
Through The Desert Thou Didst Go.
3 Spirit Of Our God, Descending,
Fill Our Hearts With Heavenly Joy,
Love With Every Passion Blending,
Pleasure That Can Never Cloy;
Thus Provided, Pardoned, Guided,
Nothing Can Our Peace Destroy.
Bible In One Year: Mark 13:14-37, Deuteronomy 14-16
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye