Human Pride

Daniel 4 provides us with interesting insight into God's view of human pride. Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and once again calls for Daniel to give the interpretation. In his dream was an enormous tree that was "large and strong and it's top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. It's leaves were beautiful, it;s fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in it's branches; from it every creature was fed." God declares from heaven that the tree is to be cut down, but the stump will remain.
Daniel tells the king that the tree represents him. That he has become "great and strong and that his greatness reaches the sky and his dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. Daniel tells him that he will be removed from power for a time and that for "seven times" he will be "eating grass" with cattle.He pleads with the king to renounce his sins and acknowledge that God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.
The king is given a year to repent and turn to God, but instead his pride prevents him from submitting to the God of the universe. He is walking on the roof of his palace, admiring his accomplishments, his mighty power and his majesty when God drops the ax. He is removed from power, is sent to the pasture and munches grass for "seven times".
The idea of "seven times" get lots of conversation. My personal belief is that the phrase is all about completeness. God is going to have him eating grass until the time is complete, until he is broken, until the king recognizes that God is God and he is not. However long that takes, God will have him on all fours. Nebuchadnezzar will come to his senses when he has had enough, when the right amount of time is complete.
We are no different! Sometimes we have to deal with our pride until we are broken. We might not be on all fours, munching grass; but we are on our knees before God. We realize that we are not in control and that He is. It might be financial loss. It might be a personal tragedy. It might be divorce. It might be the doctor saying the dreaded word.... cancer. Whatever it is, whenever it is; pride disappears and we humbly go before the God of creation and ask for His help.
When the time was complete, Nebuchadnezzer raised his eyes toward heaven and praised the Most High. He honored and glorified Him who lives forever. For him, it took a steady diet of pasture grasses to realize that it is God who is in control. Pride is ugly. I have seen it in me and I have seen it in others and it is ugly. When we elevate ourselves above others or even above our Father in heaven, our view of ourselves is distorted and we become arrogant. May we determine to stay humble.

We all know the verses....

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)

"Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." (Proverbs 29:23)

"You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." (Psalm 18:27)