The unbribable student
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18Bible Reading
Daniel 5:17-23
17 In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him. 18 As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor. 19 Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished. 20 But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes. 22 But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.
Imagine being offered a fortune to do a job and saying, “No thanks. Keep the money, but I will tell you the truth anyway.” That is power. Daniel did not need the king’s gold because he had God’s treasure. He did not need the king’s validation because he had God’s approval. Belshazzar had failed the test of humility. He knew what had happened to Nebuchadnezzar—how pride turned a man into a beast—yet he chose pride anyway. In your academic journey, you will be tempted. Tempted to cheat for a grade. Tempted to compromise your values for a recommendation. Tempted to become arrogant when you succeed. Remember Daniel. Remember that your breath is in God’s hand. If He stops giving you breath, your GPA does not matter. So study hard, but stay humble. Achieve greatness, but reject pride. Be the student who cannot be bought, and you will be the student God can promote.
Action Point
Write down three things you have achieved academically. Next to each one, write, “By God’s grace.” Remind yourself of the Source.
Prayer Point
Lord, strip away my arrogance. Help me to see that every good grade is a gift from You. Make me a student of integrity who speaks the truth even when it costs me.
Reflection Point
Am I learning from the mistakes of others, or am I insisting on making them myself?