Today’s phrase – God Rules!

In an election unlike any in my memory there are so many who are issuing dire warnings that we’re doomed if the other guy is elected. Will a Biden election bring America economic ruin? Will a Trump re-election set the world aflame?  Will a Democrat majority in the Senate bring the destruction of the republic? Will a Republican majority take away basic rights?  Oh the noise and the fury. Perhaps you are as tired of it all as I am. IF you have not voted, please do today.  Lay aside anxious thoughts, refuse fear.  How?

Let’s look at the life of a man that God used in a pagan empire, a man of excellence and integrity who influenced the world. His name was Daniel. About 600 years before the time of Jesus, Babylonian conquerors overwhelmed Jerusalem and took young men from that city to serve in the courts of their capital. Daniel was among them, still a teen, but well-trained in the Scripture.  Surely that teen struggled to understand why the Lord God allowed Jerusalem and the holy Temple to be sacked by idol worshippers.

It was, in fact, the end of the world, at least as Daniel knew it. And yet, there in a foreign land, a captive, he chose to serve God faithfully.  In face of much evidence to the contrary, he trusted that God was in charge of human history, that there was a plan in it all, though inscrutable at the moment. He grew into a deep, mature faith, becoming a man so in tune with the Spirit that he became God's spokesman to the super-power of his time!

On one occasion, Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his counselors tell him not only the meaning of his dream, but the content of it as well! Impossible? Sure it was. Daniel, who had become one of those trusted counselors, went to prayer, received the revelation, and told that king what God was saying. Remember that dream? It was a large statue with golden head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, and feet of clay. It represented the kingdoms of men. The key part of the dream was the Stone that was cut out, not with human hands, that smashed the statue. The meaning? All earthly kingdoms will come to an end when the King of Kings sets up His reign. God showed Daniel that He was still in charge.

In another terrifying dream, that king saw a great tree in the center of the earth. It was cut down by a heavenly messenger, but the stump was left. Daniel courageously told Nebuchadnezzar that it was a message that he was about to be cut down because of his arrogance. "They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules." (Daniel 4:25-26, NKJV)

When Daniel was about 80 years old he was called to interpret a terrifying vision. Belshazzar, the regent of Babylon, whose arrogance far outstripped that of Nebuchadnezzar, was throwing a banquet when a hand appeared to write on the wall of the hall. No one could understand the cryptic phrase. Then the queen mother reminded Belshazzar of an old Jewish man who had counseled the prior king.

Daniel came and read the inscription: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" -- "Numbered, numbered, Weighed, and Divided!" Boldly, Daniel pronounced the message of Heaven. 

"Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. ... But when his heart and mind were hardened with pride, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. ...until he learned that the Most High God rules the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them. You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. For you have defied the Lord of heaven ...you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! So God has sent this hand to write a message." (Daniel 5:18-24, NLT)   His message?  God rules!

Christian, “God Rules!”  Though the Lord calls us to be responsible, proactive, and engaged in the world in which we live, all the while we know that GOD RULES!   

Trust that revelation today.  As you watch election results, continue to know that He holds us in His hands, that our salvation is secure. Whatever happens in the elections today, whatever storm blows through your life, whatever crisis comes in your life – GOD RULES.  Pray for eyes that see what God sees and a mind that thinks as He thinks.  Join that great man of old, Daniel in this worshipful declaration - "Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down." (Daniel 2:20-21, The Message)  He has charged us with responsibility to pray for His will to be done, to trust Him with unwavering obedience, and to live with a rock-solid assurance of His care.

The word from the Word is the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray -
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’" (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)
____________

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision
O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me
Save that Thou art
Thou my best thought
By day or by night
Waking or sleeping
Thy presence my light

Be Thou my shield
And my sword for the fight
Be Thou my dignity
Be Thou my might
Thou my soul's shelter
And Thou my high tow'r
Raise Thou me heav'nward
O pow'r of my pow'r

Riches I heed not
Nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance
Now and always
Thou and Thou only
Be first in my heart
High King of heaven
My treasure Thou art

High King of heaven
When vict'ry is won
May I reach heaven's joys
O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart
Whatever befall
Still be my vision
O Ruler of all

 Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne

© Words: Public Domain