Nebuchadnezzar, the Emperor of Babylon, wrote a tract on pride in Daniel chapter four. While “flourishing in the palace,” he had an awful dream. A giant tree that could be seen from every corner of the earth was cut to the ground by an angel. This prophetic dream was God’s warning to the proud ruler. Proud and unrepentant, Nebuchadnezzar would wander as an animal for seven years until he knew “That the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” Pride turned the emperor into a beast and it can do the same to us. So we should take heed to Daniel’s message.
The prophet Daniel gave Nebuchadnezzar a one-verse message: “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” Daniel 4:27
We’ll call this message: “Tranquility, not Tree Chopping.” Or “How to Keep Your Tree from Being Chopped Down.”
1.) Open Your Eyes To Pride. “Break off thy sins by righteousness.”
Pride blinds us; that is why it “goeth before a fall.” Satan’s beauty and power made him think he could take God’s throne. Pride caused Pharaoh to endure ten awful plagues. Pride caused Abraham, Saul, David, Uzziah, and many other godly men to endure devastating hardships.
Nebuchadnezzar’s reason only returned when he lifted his eyes to heaven and recognized “that God ruled in the kingdom of men.” His wisdom, health, wealth, and kingdom were from God and thus belonged to God. Nebuchadnezzar realized he had no reason for pride, only for praise. Humility led him to proclaim God’s glory to the whole empire.
2.) Open Your Arms To Others. “By shewing mercy to the poor.”
Humility is not thinking high or low of self; it is not thinking of oneself at all. The old saying is, “Once you realize you are humble, you just lost your humility!” Humility involves serving others by “showing mercy to the poor.”
Humility is an action word. It is an empathetic word. Why did God allow Nebuchadnezzar to be emperor? So he could have serfs to serve him? No, just the opposite: in the words of Jesus because Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest, he was to be the greatest servant.
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Matthew 23:11-12
Nebuchadnezzar was given so much so he could be a blessing to others. Why did God give me health? So I could help someone else who is not healthy. Why did God give me good finances? So I can be a blessing to someone in need. Why did God give me the gospel? So I could give it to others. Why did God give me a ministry? So I can serve people.