"Everything we have comes from God"
MINISTER'S MOMENT
CHARLOTTE AUSTIN

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

(Daniel 4:37)

King Nebuchadnezzar had it all: Power, Majesty, Greatness. But he forgot where he got it. He pranced around the palace of Babylon boasting, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

But before his last arrogant words had left his mouth, he was startled by the voice of the One who had placed him on the throne. God said, "Nebuchadnezzar… the kingdom has departed from you!"

But that's not all. The mighty king of Babylon also got a quick transfer from the palace to the pasture. As God had warned him in a dream, he became a crazed creature, grazing on grass like an ox. The proud monarch became a picture of humility. Not until the man-creature lifted his head heavenward and "blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever" was he allowed to return to sanity and to his throne.

Everything we have, our possessions, our position, our potential, comes from God. He is the source of our strength, the giver of our talents, and the One who controls our circumstances. When we forget this, or take the credit, God may find it necessary to transfer us from a position of pride to humiliation.

Knowing our position in relationship to God is the way to keep pride out of our lives. When we know how high and mighty He is, we'll have little trouble remembering how weak and lowly we are.

Lord, keep my pride and arrogance from getting in the way of what You want me to do. May I never forget that all I have comes from You and that all I accomplish is because of Your work in and through me. Amen.

Rev. Charlotte Austin McCary's Chapel United Methodist Church