Daniel 4:17 The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.

This is an excerpt from the 4^th chapter of the Book of Daniel in which King Nebuchadnezzar was describing to Daniel a vision he had seen and asked him to interpret it for him. The King identified the messengers in the vision as holy ones coming down from heaven.  He recognized their message as a “verdict” and concluded the purpose was “so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.”

It is amazing how crystal clear the King’s observations were concerning the vision but the one thing he did not contemplate or imagine was that it had anything to do with him. This is so true of so many who hold positions of power whether gained by inheritance or conferred by public consensus. In their failure to understand that power is privilege and that they are accountable to the Most High, some proceed to lead or rule in a manner that demeans or terrorizes their subjects sometimes for decades.

From Daniel’s interpretation of the dream and the consequences for Nebuchadnezzar, I can only conclude that pride is a great sin in the eyes of God and he makes it his business to teach humility to anyone who glories in its excess. “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12).

In our day, we hear of men in both public office and industry falling from their perches with great frequency and when the tale is told of their excesses, one cannot help but wonder why they didn’t see it coming. Because God is just, when power is abused he recalibrates the height of the perch or tears it down altogether. Unfortunately sometimes it takes longer than we would wish and people suffer in the interim. History is littered with the debris of shattered perches and former kingdoms but even with all the evidence, those who are privileged to rule or lead seldom demonstrate humility. Humility is not weakness but simply an acknowledgement that God does rule in the affairs of men. He gives divine wisdom which is a source of great strength.

Pray for humility and wisdom for your leaders and bosses daily because their character and relationship to God, or the lack thereof, affect your quality of life.