Pride

It's seldom mentioned that Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon - the very nation that God used to destroy Jerusalem and take Israel into captivity, authored a chapter out of our bible. He wrote Daniel chapter 4.

Nebuchadnezzar's weakness, most-notably, was pride. He thought that his conquests were by his own might. He thought that he was in control. It is difficult to compare ourselves with such a man, as few of us are kings, or governors, or even effectively rule our households. Nebuchadnezzar was brutal. He didn't just outsmart the nations and win popularity contests. He battered walls down, razed buildings, killed ALL inhabitants, making horrendous spectacles of kings that dared to resist him. He was to some a monster. He was to be feared.

Then he boasted out loud, and God had grown tired of listening. Nebuchadnezzar wrote this (about the Lord) 7 years later, after having spent this prolonged period on all fours galloping around his palace grounds acting like a dog.

Dan 4:35-37
(35) And all those living in the earth are counted as nothing. And He does according to His will among the army of Heaven, and among those living in the earth. And no one is able to strike His hand or say to Him, What are You doing?
(36) At that time my reason returned to me, and the glory of my kingdom, my majesty, and my brightness returned to me. And my advisers and my nobles sought to me. And I was reestablished in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
(37) Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the King of Heaven, for all His works are truth, and His ways are justice. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.

He is able to humble the pride. God humbles the pride. He does it sooner, or He does it later. On that day when every knee shall bow... on that day... there will not be one proud in the crowd. We have no concept of the majesty, greatness, and power of God. The lesson, as told by one of the most proud fellows that ever walked the earth is to bow now. Thank you, God, for not always choosing to humble us immediately for walking in pride, for you would perhaps be TIRED of slapping me to the ground. I will boast in knowing You, because that is worth boasting about.