Book Of Daniel: Chapter 4

Book of Daniel: The Result of a Prideful Life

May 22nd, 2022/Casey Middle School

Story: Have you ever had a moment where you thought a little too highly of yourself? Confidence is one thing, but you know the line where you go from confident to cocky! You go from a positive self esteem to self righteous.

I’ve wrestled with this since as far back as I can remember. Even in high school I remember finding myself in moments where I thought “What am I doing, who are you?!” Let’s be honest, I was not the cool kid, but in my mind there was a different reality at play!

That tendency was multiplied with every accomplishment in my life. I’m a highly competitive person! HIGHLY competitive! So anytime I would have a victory, whether it was state champs in basketball or playing in a band on a big stage in college, there was a part of me that would think “I’m kind of a big deal!” “Does everyone see how cool I am?!”

I wish I could say that the spirit of pride was just a season of my life or moments of success, but the truth is that pride keeps showing up in subtle ways.

Moving to Boulder was a huge humbling experience in every way. You guys just do things extra here! One of my early encounters was with a young man in the city sharing with me his hobbies. He then asked what I did for fun, I mentioned that I enjoyed rock climbing, running, and pretty much everything outdoors. I would later find out that he was a triathlete and accomplished in pretty much every sport! What?! You failed to mention that in your “hobbies”!

Needless to say I was humbled real quick! The truth is that there are two paths to choose in this life, humility or humiliation. You either live a humble life or be prepared for humiliation. We see this truth in the story of king Nebuchadnezzar.

Title: The Result of a Prideful Life

Passage: Daniel 4:37 ESV

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Pray:

Background:

Nebuchadnezzar was a one world leader that had one goal, be the dominant power and ultimately god of the people. He realized that one of the ways he could gain power was by giving people what they wanted spiritually, allowing them to keep their gods and worship as they pleased. His plan was working well until he conquered a little nation called Judah. In a sense, Nebuchadnezzar was able to affirm and even rule the gods, but there was something different with the God of Judah. This God claimed that he made Nebuchadnezzar and was the one and only true God. He did not share His glory, and time and time again demonstrated His ultimate authority over all earthly kingdoms and heavenly realms. The conqueror was faced with the Creator!

God was gracious and showed mercy to this king. We see his journey throughout the book of Daniel. We see him recognize that there is something different about this God, and that He has more power than the rest, but have we yet to see him commit to His authority over his life. In this chapter we see God give him a dream that torments him. Daniel interprets this dream and declares that the king will be brought low and that he will face consequences for his pride. He’s given 12 months to come to his senses, but ultimately he chooses self righteousness and a prideful life instead. He’s then punished with 7 years living as an animal in the fields before experiencing restoration and deliverance.

There are many lessons to be discovered throughout this passage. We see the sovereignty of God, the depravity of humanity, and the reality of the choice that we face everyday.

“Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” - Proverbs 16:18 CSB

Haymakers:

1. You may be prospering in the palace but bankrupt in your purpose

   1. Daniel 4:4-18
   2. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. (V4)

   3. Unpack:

      1. In the moment of your greatest comfort be aware that you are susceptible to taking credit for that comfort.
      2. How many of you know that it’s easy to trust when it’s easy. It’s easier to lean on self and God I’m your comfort zone. If you’re not careful you might even forget God.
      3. Flourishing and at ease on earth does not mean that you are flourishing and at ease in the Kingdom.

      4. At his most comfortable state, the king was hit with a spiritual awakening.

         4. “At last Daniel came in before me” (V8)

      5. There should be an overwhelming amount of peace when a Christian steps into a painful, confusing, or chaotic situation.

      6. “Thank God that Nate is here!”, “What a relief that Melody showed up today!”, “where would we be without Doug!”
      7. Do you bring good news to the room? Is there favor and gratitude when you walk into a room? Is there an expectation for a miracle?
      8. When you operate in your giftings, then people will see that there is something special on your life! There will be something magnetic to your presence.
         5. Daniel then has to bring the interpretation.

      9. Daniel spoke the truth with compassion, regardless of the outcome

         1. Daniel 4:19-27
         2. “My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies! The tree you saw.. that tree is you, Your Majesty.”
         3. Even with an evil and prideful king, Daniel demonstrates humility, love, and honor in his response to the king's dream.
         4. This was the same king that conquered and imprisoned his people. A king that is marked by selfish desires and evil intentions.
         5. Daniel demonstrates something that is very difficult for us to embrace today, forgiveness. We see him show compassion, not bitterness or hatred. He could have easily found joy in the kings demise, instead he shows compassion.

      10. We have a hard time forgiving someone that parks in our spot.

          6. Question: How do you respond when your enemies suffer?

      11. Even when your enemies fail, it’s a tragedy that they did not come to their senses and surrender to Christ.

      12. I was recently asked about a pastor who is not preaching the Word with grace and truth, and my response was “It’s heart breaking.” It doesn’t mean that I’m not still frustrated, but it’s less about my feelings and more about their purpose and calling.

      13. Turning to humility and confession is much better than suffering humiliation and torment, for anyone.

          7. “Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

      14. If you want to see a shift in your perspective toward those that have wronged you, then pray for their blessing.

      15. Notice that Daniel still speaks truth into the situation, but he goes even one step further and shares that there will be blessing on the other side of obedience to God!
      16. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” - Romans 12:14 ESV
      17. You can choose humility or humiliation
          1. Daniel 4:28-33
          2. “At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (V29-30)
          3. The Kingdom I built
      18. “Look at these great kids I have raised.”, “Look at this beautiful house that I have bought.”, “Look at these accomplishments that I have fought for.”.
      19. There is something to be said for hard work, discipline, good stewardship, and generous living, it should not only be celebrated, this lifestyle should be emulated, but be careful to give God the glory for it all!
      20. “Man’s will is free because God is sovereign.” - AW Tozer
      21. Give God the credit in your life. Keep it simple. Brag on God! And be honest about how God used you to get you to where you are.
          4. The long suffering of God
      22. Question: How many of you have experienced the long suffering of Christ?
      23. There was a period of 12 months between the time Daniel interpreted the dream and when judgment came.
          5. You are an image bearer
      24. Sin = animal/beast. You are an image bearer. When humanity lives as if they have no creator or God then they descend to the level of animals. David says to “not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding” (Ps 32:9) We are living in a reality as if we are instinctive and impulsive rather than intentional. We are creatures with a keen awareness of the creation!
      25. There is a powerful lesson in the ancient Greek proverb. We, too, find it hard to kick against the goads. (Acts 9:5) When we choose to disobey God, we become like the rebellious ox—driving the goad deeper and deeper.
      26. Solomon wrote, “Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.” - Proverbs 15:10
      27. “The way of the unfaithful is hard” - Proverbs 13:15
      28. How much better to listen to God's voice! By resisting God’s authority we are only punishing ourselves.

2. When you honor appropriately and rightly, then honor flows through you, not to you!

   1. Daniel 4:34-37
   2. “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever” (V34)
   3. “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.” - CS Lewis

   4. Honor is our commitment (Value)

      1. Humility looks good on you, honor belongs to God!

      2. Honor flows to the TOP or it falls to the BOTTOM.

         5. Illust: Have you ever done something that someone else took the credit for?

      3. Even when you don’t receive credit, it should be a reminder of the grace of God on your life. God brought me to this place, and by God’s grace I will carry on!

      4. When honor runs through you then it leaves you with a greater sense of humility.

Closing: Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...

because you “deserve better than this.”

I cheat you of knowledge...

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing...

because you are too full of you to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

I cheat you of vision...

because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window. I cheat you of genuine friendship...

because nobody’s going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...

because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.

I cheat you of God’s glory...

because I convinced you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you. Untrue.

I’m looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry...

If you stick with me you’ll never know.

My Name Is Pride - Beth Moore