Theme: Living Out Our Faith
Topic: God Resists The proud
Main Texts: Daniel 4:1-37
Key verse: James 4:6 – ”But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” (NIV)
Introduction:
Throughout the first three chapters of Daniel, we have seen God working in Nebuchadnezzar’s life to teach him humility. In chapter 2, God sent him a vision of the statue to remind him that even the most powerful human civilizations would fall, but God’s kingdom would endure forever. Instead of responding with humility and submitting himself to God, Nebuchadnezzar built an idol (reminiscent of the golden head) and demanded everyone in his empire worship it. In Chapter 3, God again reminded him of who was really on the throne. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego His three chosen instruments would not bow down to the idol. The king was furious and had them thrown into the furnace. He thought his power was absolute. But God protected their lives and once again demonstrated that He was the King of Kings. After this, Nebuchadnezzar made a perfunctory statement about God’s greatness. But soon he reverted to his arrogant ways. God then warns him in a dream (Dan 4:4-17), and Daniel pleads with him to avert calamity by humbling himself. Yet he persisted in his pride. God taught him a lesson by making him insane and throwing him out of his position of power ” so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth”. It was a thoroughly humbled Nebuchadnezzar who worshipped and acknowledged the sovereignty of God and proclaimed that “those who walk in pride God is able to humble.” Dan 4:37.
Q1. Read Daniel 4:28-31, Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:17-18 (1a) What similarities do you see between these passages? What do they teach about the nature pride? (1b) Mention some of the ways a Christian can display pride (including spiritual pride) in his or her life?
Paragraph 2:
God resists the proud because pride is sinful and a hindrance to seeking Him. We are not referring to “pride” as in the satisfaction of a job well done (Galatians 6:4) or to the kind of pride one expresses over the accomplishment of loved ones (2 Corinthians 7:4). We are referring to the pride that stems from self- righteousness or conceit. Those who insist on elevating themselves and refusing to trust God as sovereign, good, and trustworthy will find their ways opposed by God. The supremacy of God and the fact that we can really do nothing outside of HIS grace is a stumbling block for prideful people. God will oppose those attempting to be the god of their own lives like Nebuchadnezzar.
Q2.(2a) Read Psalm 10:2-4. Why do you think pride is so offensive to God? (2b) Read Gal 6:4 and 2 Cor 7:4. How is the pride the scriptures mentioned here different from the pride of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:30? (2c) Read Rom 12:3 What are some practical ways a Christian can deal with the issue of pride in his or her life?
Paragraph 3:
Nebuchadnezzar was given the opportunity to humble himself and he didn’t. The result was a severe humiliation. The Bible tells us to humble ourselves. It is better that we do it, than God do it for us. Those who humble themselves find God’s favour (Psalm 138:6, NLT). God shows His favour to those with a right view—a humble view—of themselves, and He promises them restoration: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15; cf. James 4:10). As we humble ourselves, He “gives grace generously” (James 4:6, NLT). When Nebuchadnezzar’s reason returned, the result was worship. God’s purpose in humbling Nebuchadnezzar was redemptive, not punitive (see also 2 Chron 32: 25-26 and
2 Chron 33:12-13). God gives us grace that is sufficient to meet every need we have and every temptation we may face including that of the “boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16 AMP) which can destroy us and our witness.
Q3.(3a) Read Luke 14:11, Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 5:6. How will you advise a child of God who wants the grace of God to abound in his or her life? (3b) What can you readily apply in your Christian Walk from today’s bible study?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your WORD today, we pray that you help us to always shun pride, and to humble ourselves under your mighty hand so that your grace will continually abound unto us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.