Break the Chain of National Pride that Takes Credit for Things God Has Done. Ezekiel 32:10.

God used Babylon to humble Israel. Then when Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, grew proud, God used Darius, King of Persia, to humble Nebuchadnezzar.  This is a common pattern in Bible history: God lifts up one nation to humble another. But then the nation God raised up become proud, and God lifts up a third nation to humble the one that has grown proud. This pattern is like a chain, each nation a link in that chain. And if that is true, the United States is on top,–at present–raised up by God to humble others. But if so, what does the future hold for us? Are we so proud, God will be forced to humble us?

There is nothing wrong with loving your country.

As Americans, we have so much to be grateful for. You should love your nation. But when national pride interferes with your humble devotion to the God who rules over the affairs of man, there is going to be a problem.

Not only will God punish the offending nation for its pride. He will make a spectacle of that nation, using it as a warning to others. Consider the world-conquering empires that have been humbled: Egypt, Greece, Rome, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and others. Some of these remain players on the international stage, others barely deserve a footnote.  Perhaps there is a direct correlation between offending national pride and the current relevance of these former empires.  Others—Russia, perhaps—remain powerful, but may be destined for future disaster. You never know what God is going to do. God judged the pride of Egypt, and that nation has never recovered its former glory:

“I will cause many nations to be appalled at you, and their kings will shudder with fear because of you when I brandish My sword in front of them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life” Ezekiel 32:10.

God, thank you for a nation where we can live and worship you in peace and safety. But never let us grow so proud of our nation that our national pride offends You. Never let us forget that You are the giver of all good things, that every good and perfect gift comes from above, James 1:17.  Our nation would be nothing without the blessings that come from You. Bless us with humble, reverent hearts.

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