To my brothers and sisters of Vida Abundante, I am speaking to you. As cliche as it may sound, God is in control! Yes, even over our democracy. By the time you read this, we still may not know for sure who our next president will be. Polls, numbers, and political analysts may be firing off a mirage of speculations increasing confusion and uncertainty.
As Christians, what are we to make of all this political drama? It is easy to get lost in the polarizing rhetoric, but how should we as Christians respond? or should we? One thing is certain, God's president will be sworn in come January. Does this mean God prefers one over the other? Not necessarily, but he knows now, who will lead this country, and through it, God's plan will remain unfettered.
Often Christians seem to forget about God's Sovereignty. We forget that God is involved and aware of the minutia of our world. Remember when our Lord Jesus gives the example of the sparrows sold for pennies, and yet even if one of them falls to the ground, God knows (Matt. 10:29). The implication being that even what seems inconsequential, God is aware and in control.
Or what about the book of Daniel? Which serves as a great reminder of the God we serve. Daniel writes to the exiles, God's people who now live in Babylon under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. The book provides hope and instruction to the exiles. It is interesting how Chapter 1 initiates by stating God handed the Judean king over to the enemy. God's sovereignty isn't always pretty. How are the exiles suppose to hope in a God who seems indifferent to their circumstance?
Later in chapter 2, we read of a dream King Nebuchadnezzar had that was driving him mad. He calls all the magicians and wise men of his kingdom to help interpret his dream, but they have no such power. One of them even replies, "The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh" (2:11). Their humanity is finite, they cannot read the mind of the King.
Knowing the king's anger and desire to kill off all the wise men of Babylon for failure to interpret his dream, Daniel steps in to prevent the slaughter. He does so by requesting an appointment with the king so he may interpret the dream. Now, Daniel had no way of interpreting the king's dream let alone knowing what he dreamed, but Daniel didn't rely on his wisdom (even though he was one of the wise men, 2:13), he, along with his companion's sought after the mercy of God to reveal the mystery.
God was merciful and revealed to him the mystery of the king. Daniel's response is of gratitude, and comfort in a Sovereign God. One of the phrases in his prayer is of particular interest to us. Daniel says, "...he removes kings and sets up kings..." (2:21) At the point of death and living as an exile, Daniel knows God is in control. Though king Nebuchadnezzar sits on the throne at that moment, Daniel knows God placed him there. Daniel knows that God allowed his people to be taken into exile but he also knows God will lead them home (Ch.9).
Amid chaos and uncertainty, Daniel sought after God. He didn't do it alone, rather, he also gathered his friends to seek after God. Daniel's response to God's mercy is a model for us to praise and trust in our heavenly Father. Daniel's friends will also face the fiery furnace (Ch. 3), and once more, God will respond. When King Nebuchadnezzar sees with his own eyes God walking with them in the furnace, he is the one that responds with praise saying,
"How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and his dominion endures from generation to generation." Da. 4:3.
Later, Daniel is thrown into the lion's den because of his prayer life by another ruler, Darius. Upon being delivered to the lions, Darius makes a startling statement to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you! (6:16) As if he knew what Daniel's God was capable of. Once more God comes to the rescue.
Not only did the pagan kings and rulers know the Sovereignty of Daniel's God, but so did Daniel. Daniel never hesitated to come to God when things didn't seem "right." He never questions God and is never deterred by his and his people's circumstances. It was not a cliche for Daniel to say, "God is in control," because for Daniel, God was in control. God's dominion becomes more evident for Daniel as he receives a vision from God and sees,
"...a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed."
Da. 7:13–14.
Uncertainty, chaos, division, and fear are characteristically political. Thankfully our hope is not found in politics and presidents, but in one whose kingdom is not of this world, KING JESUS!
As Christians, what are we to make of all this political drama? It is easy to get lost in the polarizing rhetoric, but how should we as Christians respond? or should we? One thing is certain, God's president will be sworn in come January. Does this mean God prefers one over the other? Not necessarily, but he knows now, who will lead this country, and through it, God's plan will remain unfettered.
Often Christians seem to forget about God's Sovereignty. We forget that God is involved and aware of the minutia of our world. Remember when our Lord Jesus gives the example of the sparrows sold for pennies, and yet even if one of them falls to the ground, God knows (Matt. 10:29). The implication being that even what seems inconsequential, God is aware and in control.
Or what about the book of Daniel? Which serves as a great reminder of the God we serve. Daniel writes to the exiles, God's people who now live in Babylon under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. The book provides hope and instruction to the exiles. It is interesting how Chapter 1 initiates by stating God handed the Judean king over to the enemy. God's sovereignty isn't always pretty. How are the exiles suppose to hope in a God who seems indifferent to their circumstance?
Later in chapter 2, we read of a dream King Nebuchadnezzar had that was driving him mad. He calls all the magicians and wise men of his kingdom to help interpret his dream, but they have no such power. One of them even replies, "The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh" (2:11). Their humanity is finite, they cannot read the mind of the King.
Knowing the king's anger and desire to kill off all the wise men of Babylon for failure to interpret his dream, Daniel steps in to prevent the slaughter. He does so by requesting an appointment with the king so he may interpret the dream. Now, Daniel had no way of interpreting the king's dream let alone knowing what he dreamed, but Daniel didn't rely on his wisdom (even though he was one of the wise men, 2:13), he, along with his companion's sought after the mercy of God to reveal the mystery.
God was merciful and revealed to him the mystery of the king. Daniel's response is of gratitude, and comfort in a Sovereign God. One of the phrases in his prayer is of particular interest to us. Daniel says, "...he removes kings and sets up kings..." (2:21) At the point of death and living as an exile, Daniel knows God is in control. Though king Nebuchadnezzar sits on the throne at that moment, Daniel knows God placed him there. Daniel knows that God allowed his people to be taken into exile but he also knows God will lead them home (Ch.9).
Amid chaos and uncertainty, Daniel sought after God. He didn't do it alone, rather, he also gathered his friends to seek after God. Daniel's response to God's mercy is a model for us to praise and trust in our heavenly Father. Daniel's friends will also face the fiery furnace (Ch. 3), and once more, God will respond. When King Nebuchadnezzar sees with his own eyes God walking with them in the furnace, he is the one that responds with praise saying,
"How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and his dominion endures from generation to generation." Da. 4:3.
Later, Daniel is thrown into the lion's den because of his prayer life by another ruler, Darius. Upon being delivered to the lions, Darius makes a startling statement to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you! (6:16) As if he knew what Daniel's God was capable of. Once more God comes to the rescue.
Not only did the pagan kings and rulers know the Sovereignty of Daniel's God, but so did Daniel. Daniel never hesitated to come to God when things didn't seem "right." He never questions God and is never deterred by his and his people's circumstances. It was not a cliche for Daniel to say, "God is in control," because for Daniel, God was in control. God's dominion becomes more evident for Daniel as he receives a vision from God and sees,
"...a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed."
Da. 7:13–14.
Uncertainty, chaos, division, and fear are characteristically political. Thankfully our hope is not found in politics and presidents, but in one whose kingdom is not of this world, KING JESUS!
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Amen. Jesus wins!
Wow. Could not have been said better. Sometimes as Christians we seem to "forget" who is Almighty God. If only the rest of the world could also understand that...