We see crazy everywhere…in families, culture, social media, Hollywood, and don’t forget politics! It’s easy to think the whole world has gone crazy. But, it’s been going this way ever since Adam and Eve sinned and infected the world with decay and depravity. The Bible is full of craziness. Cain was so full of crazy jealousy that he killed his own brother. Esau sold his birthright, his inheritence, for a bowl of stew. Jonah was crazy enough to think he could run away from God. David’s family was crazy dysfunctional, and Solomon had 700 wives? If that isn’t crazy I don’t know what is. Jesus had to deal with the crazy religious leaders of his day and even his disciples went a little crazy now and then. Everyone has to deal with crazy, but we don’t want to end up on the crazy train that leads to isolation and destruction, far from God.

Scriptures
Da 3:4-6, 29, 4:15-16, 27, 30, 33-34, 36-37; Lk 13:25; Pr 16:18

Verse
“Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” Da 4:27

Thought
Nebuchadnezzar would be in the “Insane Hall of Fame” if it existed. As king of Babylon, the most powerful empire in the world, he developed a god-complex. He goes so far as to erect a statue of himself to which his subjects are required to bow down. When some refuse to do so, they are thrown into a blasting furnace. However, the three who went in also came out. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were Jewish prisoners of war who worshipped the one true God. Initially, it seems that Nebuchadnezzar has changed his ways after witnessing the miracle in the furnace because he declares that no one can say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. However, his self-love and arrogance continue to control him. Finally, God speaks to him in a dream and offers a chance to repent and continue in prosperity or choose his own path to insanity. Convinced of his own mighty power and majesty, he rejects God. God waited patiently for 12 months, but the day came and Nebuchadnezzar slipped into full-blown insanity. For 7 years he lived like an animal in field, uncivilized, total loss of reason. However, God brought him to his senses long enough for him to realize he needed God. He repented and was restored to his position. It is dangerous to become self-sufficient, self-absorbed, and self-focused. When you take God off the throne and put yourself on it, crazy is just around the corner. Don’t get caught up in yourself, humble yourself before God and fall insanely in love with Him. He will hold you, keep you, sustain you and love you.

Questions
In Proverbs 16:18, it says that pride comes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. How has this proven true in your life? Why is pride so destructive? What is the craziest thing in your life right now? What does it take to humble a prideful person? How can you tell the difference between pride and healthy self-confidence?

Response
Ask God to show you where pride may be standing in the way of your relationship with him or with others. Humble yourself before God and ask him to help you restore what has been damaged because of your pride.

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for always being there for me, listening, guiding, caring. Help me to set aside anything that hinders my relationship with you. Help my heart to be sensitive to your voice. I want to be your humble servant. Keep pride far from me and help me to seek you more and grow in my relationship with you each day. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.