“Whoever reads this inscription and gives me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around his neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.” —Daniel 5:7
Belshazzar refused to relinquish his pride even in the presence of God’s powerful hand. But pride would be the death of him. And pride, left untreated, will be the death of us as well. It is always a losing proposition. Pride cannot help but lead to the loss of those things we somehow think we’re controlling by clinging to them so tightly. Power. Security. Persuasion. Manipulation.
So, why do we hold on to our pride? Because pride, despite its costs, is a resolute, irresistible suitor. Both alluring and deceptive, it keeps us convinced that we can’t live without it. Maybe if the only side it showed us was as unbecoming as Belshazzar’s blatant conceit, we wouldn’t be as susceptible to it. But pride can masquerade in ways that are less offensive and more subtle— yet no less an attempt to stiff-arm Heaven’s rule.
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Heaven Rules: Take courage. Take comfort. Our God is in control. ©2022 Revived Hearts Foundation
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
How does having a “Heaven rules” perspective combat pride?