“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” (Daniel 4:37, NKJV)

It seems that there is always an easy way and a hard way. Some people watch the mistakes of others and seek to learn from them. Why repeat the same behavior that has brought disaster and destruction? But other people insist on going their own way regardless of the consequences. You try to help them, but you might as well speak to the wind because they will never change.

Nebuchadnezzar was a hardhead; he was also proud, and that is a wicked combination. Fortunately, God was merciful toward this pagan king. He even called him “My servant” when he didn’t know the LORD. God chose him and was willing to put him through the school of hard knocks to save his soul. But O, what a curriculum!

When the king was lifted up in pride, God humbled him by making him lose his mind and graze like a beast for seven years. But at the end of that time, Nebuchadnezzar looked up toward heaven, and his reasoning returned. God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom to him, which He had held in trust. When Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses, he immediately blessed, praised and honored the Most High who lives forever. The king had thought that the world revolved around him, but through his time of humiliation he discovered that only the LORD does whatever He pleases; only His dominion lasts forever. Nebuchadnezzar’s words of praise sound like the twenty-four elders in heaven.

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, NKJV)

Nebuchadnezzar insisted on learning the hard way, but at least he finally did learn that God humbles the proud. How much better it is to humble ourselves and receive His all-sufficient grace!