Pride before a Fall!
Pride before a Fall!
Read and reflect on Daniel chapter 5.
Some time has passed and now Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar is ruler of Babylon. Belshazzar in his arrogance takes gold wine cups from God’s Temple in Jerusalem (taken in the captivity and defeat of Israel) and uses the stolen booty to drink from and toast to himself and the Babylonian gods. A hand appears before him and writes a message on the plaster wall. The King is in a panic for the wise men to read and interpret the message! Of course, no one can do it until Daniel is called in. The message is bad news for Belshazzar!
Even though he knew God had humbled his father from an arrogant king to an animal like insane man, Belshazzar had chosen arrogance and set himself up against God. God would take the kingdom from Belshazzar, and it would fall to the Medes and Persians. Belshazzar was killed that very night. Arrogance has no place in God’s order of things. Don’t miss the handwriting on the wall! Take care of the arrogance God is making plain to you or God will discipline you.
He desires for his followers to walk in holiness and He will bring discipline into our lives to see us stay on the path He intends for us.
I hear so many people quote this verse from the Bible, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). When we are caught up in our own moments of pride it is very hard to see the destruction we are causing and the impending fall coming.
Believe me, I have been here. I just refused to listen to wise counsel from my team about a business decision and it cost me. I lost a good chunk of money on a purchase I should not have made and my team lost respect, for a time, for my leadership. God humbled me and I had to make it right with my team by apologizing for not hearing and following their good advice. All eventually was restored, and I am thankful for God’s discipline through the situation to keep me on a path toward holiness.
We can be just like the little elementary child who is walking with their shoes untied. When they refuse to stop and tie them, a fall is just up ahead.
Belshazzar lost his chance for redemption in his arrogance. Don’t be that person. Thank the Lord He is the God of grace and forgiveness. Walk in grace and not arrogance to prevent destruction and a fall.
Blessings,
Ellen
