Don’t Miss the Warning Signs of Pride

In review of Daniel 4:27, Daniel tells the king, “So then, Your Majesty, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor. Then you will continue to be prosperous.” (GNT)

Daniel pleaded with Nebuchadnezzar to change his ways, and God gave him 12 months to do it. Unfortunately, there was no repentance in the heart of this proud king, and so the dream was fulfilled.

Too often when life is going well, I can miss the warning signs of an impending fall. Pride blinds me, and so does the spotlight.

This is why people who’ve seen some success in life need to go home and change some diapers, mow their own lawns, and wash their own dishes. When I have some success, make sure I keep in touch with my roots so I don’t miss the warning signs of a fall.

Nebuchadnezzar’s life is a clear picture of this. God cared enough about this pagan king to warn him about what was coming his way in Daniel 4. The Lord didn’t just remove him from power. God gave him a dream, he brought Daniel to interpret the dream, and Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar what was going to happen and how to avoid it. It can’t get much clearer than that! Daniel gave him three things to do and said success would follow. But the king missed the sign.

Is it possible I’m missing one, as well? Consider any possible conflicts in relationships. I may be just passing it off as the other person’s problem, but God wants to show me that I’m off track in some area of my life. It could be a temptation I’m battling against because I’m continually putting myself in a bad situation. Maybe it’s chaos and confusion. These are signs that I’m not well-connected to God. That I’m trying to do life on my own terms.

God’s trying to tell me through these warning signs: “Stop sinning! Come back to me!” If I’m heading down the wrong path, God loves me enough to give me a warning. Am I paying attention?

In summary, Daniel tells the king, follow my advice. Stop sinning, do what is right, and be merciful to the poor, then you will continue to be prosperous. This is a warning for me as well. When life is going well, I can miss the warning signs of an impending fall. Pride and being in the spotlight blinds me. As I have success, I need to make sure that I keep in touch with my roots, so that I don't miss the warning signs of a fall. God will show me that I'm off track in some area of my life. Signs that I'm not well connected to Him or that I'm trying to do life on my own terms. God loves me enough to give me a warning. I just need to make sure that I'm paying attention. 

Father as I reflect on this passage and this study, I believe one sin is my attitude stemming from how I think that I’ve been overlooked and demoted in my role at work. I do battle this feeling and I see often how it affects my responses internally. I pray with help from the Holy Spirit that I change this attitude and feeling to doing what is right regardless. For it is you that I ultimately work for. I ask that help and guidance to get over this and serve others, including being merciful to those less fortunate as a result of our current pandemic. Help me recognize the warning signs of pride in my life. Help guide my thoughts and feelings to be humble. Thank you Father for giving me my work and allowing me to do it from home. I also ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work tasks, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.