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Gifts, Not Just Grit
Weekly Edition #29: August 13th, 2025
Verse I Like:
At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 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.
Weekly Dose
The randomness of life can reveal a truth that many mistake for luck. People often overestimate their own abilities while undervaluing the incredible gifts they’ve been given.
Don’t underestimate what you’ve been entrusted with. Hard work is noble. And yes, it’s often a major factor in success. But humility demands that we also acknowledge the things we didn’t obtain ourselves. The talents, opportunities, and circumstances that placed us where we are.
There’s a healthy difference between rightly recognizing your hard work and crossing into the arrogance of believing you are the sole author of your life. That difference disappears the moment you place yourself as the god of your own story.
Quotes I Like:
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
“Every man has a choice between being humble or being humbled.”
“Self-made men are most often the worshipers of their own creator.”
Mane Message
King Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most powerful figures of the ancient world, appearing throughout the bible. In the book of Daniel, he has a dream of himself as a massive tree, with its branches stretching to the sky, its fruit feeding the world, and its shelter covering the nations.
He calls all of his sorcerers, interpreters, magicians, etc. to come to his palace and interpret its meaning. None are able to do so except, you guessed it, Daniel. But Daniel is hesitant to tell the King the truth, especially such a disheartening prediction of the King’s future.
Finally, Daniel interprets the dream and tells the king plainly: You are the tree. Your greatness will be cut down. You will be driven away from people and live among the wild animals. This will last for seven years until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over all kingdoms and gives them to whomever He wishes.
The vision comes true. Nebuchadnezzar loses his mind, living like a beast in the wilderness. His power stripped. His dignity gone. And only after this long season of humbling does he finally lift his eyes to heaven and recognize his true place under God’s authority.
His own words at the end of Daniel 4 say it best:
“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.”
God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Nebuchadnezzar’s fall reminds us that no matter how great our work or long our timeline, there needs to be an acknowledgement of the gifts we’ve been given and the circumstances that we cannot always control.
Show gratitude. Show Humility.
Weekly Ponder
If all the advantages you’ve enjoyed were gone tomorrow, how would you see your life differently?
Are you grateful for the opportunities you’ve had, or convinced you created them all yourself?
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