Daniel 4 & 5King Nebuchadnezzar continues to acknowledge how mighty God is and even describes God with the title of “The Most High God” (4:2); however, he does not place himself under God’s authority. In that same passage, look at the phrase “...the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me (emphasis added)”. King Nebuchadnezzar has placed himself as the most important being in his life, and that will be his downfall.

“Essentially, pride is when the hearts says, ”I don’t need God.” It is self-motivation, self-exalta-tion, self-absorption, self-promotion, and self-worship, and God hates it because it separates us from him.” (7 Lessons of Babylon, BLB)

See what God says about pride in Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:5, and Proverbs 16:18.

What great sin of his heart is revealed in Nebuchadnezzar’s words (Daniel 4:27-37)? What is the result of his sin (Daniel 5:20-23)? King Nebuchadnezzar apparently did not teach his son the lessons of humility before God. What happens to Belshazzar as a result of his pride (Daniel 5:24-30). We see that same pride in Lucifer. Lucifer wanted more adoration and a higher posi-tion, wanted to be like God. Pride usually creates a chain reaction of massive consequences. The Book of Daniel places warnings throughout the entire story, asking us to consider how to live a godly life in an ungodly age.

“If Nebuchadnezzar is the personification of pride, then Jesus Christ is that of humility. And if the pride of one man, Adam, was the downfall of humanity, then the humility of one man, Jesus, was our salvation and restoration” (7 Lessons of Babylon, BLB). In Philippians 2:1-11 Christ demonstrated a mindset/attitude that was the antithesis of Lucifer, whose pride led to him being cast out. Christ’s attitude of humility led to him being exalted and given a name which is above every name!

1. How do we recognize pride in our own lives?2. What is the antidote for pride, and how do we acquire it? 3. Why do you think God hates the sin of pride?

DANIEL DEVOTIONALWeek 3