MARCH 10
Psalm 49:20, “Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.”
He was as pompous as a man could be. Walking atop the roof of his royal palace, surveying the vast expanse of his kingdom, he reveled in the pride of what he had built and the glory of his own majesty. But God remained unimpressed. With his boastful words still lingering in the air, a voice from heaven declared, “You shall be driven away from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses” (Daniel 4:32). Thus, Nebuchadnezzar fell from the pinnacle of wealth and power into the depths of poverty and shame.
One may possess wealth, status, and impressive accomplishments, but without understanding—particularly a reverence for God—one does not differ from the beasts that perish. Understanding separates mankind from animals. Yet, if a man denies the higher wisdom of knowing his Creator and, like a beast, seeks meaning and purpose solely in this world, his end will be as base and dishonorable as that of any ordinary creature.
The psalmist grasped this truth. A pufferfish may inflate its body to appear larger in the face of danger, but at its core, it remains the same small fish. Similarly, a pompous man may boast of his wealth and power, but without the fear of God, he is no more than a beast. Thus, the psalmist reminds us that we need not fear such men (Psalm 49:5,16). Instead, we are called to trust in God (Psalm 49:15).
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”—Proverbs 29:25
Application Questions: How grievous is the sin of pride? How much does fear of what others might think or say govern your behavior? How does trust in God work to eliminate the fear of man?
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