Is pride leading to madness? Let's ask Nebuchadnezzar...
We know the Bible says God resists the proud, and we know He gives grace to the humble (see 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6, Psalm 138:6, Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 23:12, and others).
Let's look at one man's story...
In Daniel 4, God gives Daniel grace to interpret a dream for Nebuchadnezzar. The dream reveals how Nebuchadnezzar will become greater than any other ruler. It also reveals what will happen to Nebuchadnezzar in his wrong response to God's favor.
Later, the interpretation comes to pass just as Daniel said it would, and Nebuchadnezzar's life unfolds in pride: "At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 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?'" (Daniel 4:29-30 ESV)
Pride led Nebby to love credit, and glorify self.
The story continues: "While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, 'O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.' Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws." (Daniel 4:31-33 ESV)
Nebuchadnezzar is humbled. He realizes exactly Who deserves / deserved the credit for the great things that had happened in his life (see Daniel 4:34-36). In humility, Nebby worshipped God. Neb's conclusion to the matter was this: "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." (Daniel 4:37 ESV)
I wonder if we are walking in pride that credits and exalts self or are we walking in humility that recognizes and worships God? Let us look to ourselves and see. Pride led to madness in Nebuchadnezzar's life.
It may be leading to madness in our lives. It's certainly leading to madness in this world...
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