37 lines
4.5 KiB
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37 lines
4.5 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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September 23
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<h1>Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Opposition to Pride</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>All this came upon King <b>Nebuchadnezzar</b>…he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by <b>my mighty power</b> and for the <b>honor</b> of <b>my majesty</b>?" While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the <b>kingdom</b> has <b>departed</b> from <b>you</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 4, '28-31');">Daniel 4:28-31</a>)</div>
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<p>Our lofty and holy God graciously revives the hearts of all who walk in humility and lowliness. <i>"Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the <b>lowly</b>; but the <b>proud</b> He <b>knows</b> from <b>afar</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 138, '6-6');">Psalm 138:6</a>). Those who walk in pride experience quite a different response from the Lord. King Nebuchadnezzar <b>exemplified God's opposition to pride</b>.</p>
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<p>Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king in Babylon. One day, he was in his royal palace reflecting upon the greatness of his kingdom. He concluded that it all came to pass because of his <b>own might</b> and for his <b>own glory</b>. <i>"Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by <b>my mighty power</b> and for the <b>honor</b> of <b>my majesty</b>?"</i> This prideful evaluation was in stark contrast to David's earlier humble profession. <i>"<b>Yours</b>, O LORD, is the <b>greatness</b>, the <b>power</b> and the <b>glory</b>, the <b>victory</b> and the <b>majesty</b>; for <b>all</b> that is in <b>heaven</b> and in <b>earth</b> is <b>Yours</b>; <b>Yours</b> is the <b>kingdom</b>, O LORD, and <b>You</b> are <b>exalted</b> as <b>head</b> over <b>all</b>. Both <b>riches</b> and <b>honor</b> come <b>from You</b>, and <b>You reign</b> over <b>all</b>. In <b>Your hand</b> is <b>power</b> and <b>might</b>; in <b>Your hand</b> it is to make <b>great</b> and to give <b>strength</b> to <b>all</b>. Now therefore, our God, we <b>thank You</b> and <b>praise Your glorious name</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Ch', 29, '11-13');">1 Chronicles 29:11-13</a>).</p>
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<p>Before Nebuchadnezzar had finished his self-centered pronouncement, heaven declared <b>God's opposition</b> to his <b>pride</b>. <i>"King Nebuchadnezzar…the <b>kingdom</b> has <b>departed</b> from <b>you</b>."</i> The consequences would be appropriately severe. <i>"And they shall drive you from men, and your <b>dwelling</b> shall be with the <b>beasts</b> of the field. They shall make you eat <b>grass</b> like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, <b>until</b> you know that the <b>Most High rules</b> in the kingdom of men, and <b>gives</b> it to whomever <b>He chooses</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 4, '32-32');">Daniel 4:32</a>). Another proud ruler experienced similar radical consequences in the days of the early church. <i>"So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of <b>a god</b> and <b>not</b> of a <b>man</b>!' Then <b>immediately</b> an angel of the Lord struck him, <b>because</b> he did <b>not</b> give <b>glory</b> to <b>God</b>. And he was eaten by worms and died"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 12, '21-23');">Acts 12:21-23</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God Almighty, Creator of all and Ruler over all, I repent of the times I have spoken pridefully, as Nebuchadnezzar did. I long to openly profess David's humble, God-glorifying perspective day by day throughout my life, Amen.</div>
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