I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High. (Dan. 4:34)
Expanded Passage: Daniel 4:34
Often, we become so accustomed to our surroundings that even the most important things can fade into the backdrop. Recently, I was so carried away with the cares of my work that I had begun neglecting the attention of my children. One night, at the prompting of my youngest, I went to tuck everyone in for bed. After tucking the youngest in, she said, “Why don’t you do this every night?” Talk about a dagger to the heart!
The seven years of Nebuchadnezzar’s correction had passed, and Nebuchadnezzar’s prideful attitude of self-worship had been transformed into the humble worship of the Most High. In a dramatic shift, God’s glory now overshadowed the prominence of Nebuchadnezzar’s own glory. Of course, this had always been the reality, but pride is good at selling us lies. Now, the false narrative of Nebuchadnezzar’s greatness had been erased by the truth of what had always surrounded him.
Pride always needs a gut check. That gut check can come from the mouth of a five-year-old or in the form of being confronted with our fragility. No matter the delivery, we can trust that, when we raise our eyes toward heaven, we will see what has always been right in front of us. We will see the bondage of pride’s false narrative broken, and find ourselves free in the praise, honor, and worship of our King.
Raise your gaze toward heaven and see what is true.
Aaron Golden is a church planter in North Carolina, husband to Leneé, and father to four amazing kids. You can find Aaron most often hanging with family, smoking on his Traeger grill, and boating or paddle surfing.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
