There is not a more powerful
principle in our fallen nature. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise
and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works
are right and his ways are just, and he is able to humble those
who walk in pride. Nebuchadnezzar had walked in
pride and been abased for it below the most contemptible of
men. As secure as he had imagined
himself from any calamity, God had inflicted in a moment a punishment
which might well deter all who heard of it from the commission
of a similar offense. God is never at a loss for means
to accomplish his righteous will. In the judgment inflicted on
this haughty monarch, God has sufficiently shown that he is
both able and determined to abase all who walk in pride. Now this
consideration is of infinite importance, not to kings only,
but to all the human race. Pride is natural to man. There
is not a more powerful principle in our fallen nature than pride. The ungodly are full of it. There
is not any distinction, natural or acquired, which is not made
an occasion of self-exaltation and self-delight. If a man is
born of high parentage or has acquired rank or fortune by his
own exertions, then how will he be puffed up with his honors
and almost imagine himself to be made of a finer clay than
others? My might and my wisdom have procured
all these things for me. Nor is this confined to the ungodly. There are among those who profess
godliness many who are as full of pride and conceit as those
who are altogether ignorant of saving religion. Some, like the
Pharisee in the Gospel, trust in themselves that they are righteous
and despise others. They say in their hearts, Stand
by yourself. Do not come near to me. I am
holier than you. Of these, God says, they are
smoke in my nostrils. Isaiah chapter 65, verse 5. Others, like Diotrephes, love
to have the preeminence and are never so happy as when they are
setting forth their accomplishments and passing judgment upon all
that they see and hear. Self-admiration, self-conceit,
self-seeking, and self-promotion are their characteristic features.
Not a few, it is to be feared, being lifted up with pride, fall
into the condemnation of the devil. Even truly godly men are
by no means so holy, but that they are in continual danger
of being drawn into the indulgence of this evil principle. Hezekiah,
even after his most extraordinary deliverances from enemies without
and illness within, so far forgot himself as to be lifted up with
pride and thereby provoked God to withdraw from his descendants
the mercies that had been given to him. Paul himself was visited
with a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble, lest he should
be exalted above measure. 2 Corinthians 12, verse 7. Be it known then to all that
they need to watch and pray against this malignant evil, for God
will surely abase all in whom it is found. Some, like Manasseh,
God will put a hook into his nose, bind him in bronze shackles,
and take him into captivity. Others, like Peter, God will
leave to fall and to disgrace their holy profession. others,
like Pharaoh or Herod, God will plunge into the bottomless abyss
of hell. Let us never then forget that
the proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord. I hate pride and
arrogance. Proverbs chapter 8, verse 13. The Lord detests all the proud
of heart. Be sure of this, they will not
go unpunished. Proverbs 16.5 Those who are under
the influence of the sin of pride always find means to hide it
from their own eyes. But it is to no avail to deceive
ourselves, as God will not be imposed upon. He sees the pride,
wherever it exists, and He hates it with a perfect hatred. Let
us then endeavor to find out even the most hidden workings
of this abominable evil and implore help from God to mortify and
subdue it.