OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, Kansas

We just had an election for the presidency of the United States. Many are very upset at the outcome. We need to realize that God is in control in this world. In the book of Daniel, it is recorded that many people of Israel were taken into captivity by the kingdom of Babylon. In chapter 2 King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, He could not find any of his wise men that could interpret the dream. He was about to put all of them to death, which would have included Daniel and his three Hebrew friends. He bravely spoke to the King and got him to give him some time to seek God and find out the meaning of the dream. God enabled Daniel to interpret the dream.

The verses we want to consider is in chapter 2:19-22, which is part of the interpretation Daniel gave. It says, “Then was the secret revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven, Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever for wisdom and might are His. And He changeth the times and the seasons, He removeth kings and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding..” In the book of Daniel alone there are several times where this is mentioned about the sovereignty of God in putting up and taking down leaders. Our God is in control.

Reading in chapter 4, we see the account of Nebuchadnezzar going insane, and becoming like a wild animal. God caused this to continue for seven years. He had a “beast’s heart given to him.” In verse 17 it says, “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones to the intent that the living shall know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the baseth of men.”

The “watchers” are the angels which behold the work of our God. The “Holy Ones” refers to the triune God, who ordains everything that is done and brings it all to pass in His timing and divine will. Verse 32 tells us that Nebuchadnezzar would dwell in the fields eating grass like a wild beast until seven years would pass, until he would come to know, “...that the most High ruleth in the hearts of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” In chapter 5:21, again Daniel repeats the story of what happened to this king, “... the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that He appointeth over it whomsoever He will.” Can you believe the Word of God? He is the Sovereign! 

This is man’s day. Very soon it will be Christ Jesus’ Day! In Acts 1:7, where Jesus was speaking His last words to the disciples, “He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in His own hands.” The word “seasons” means in the Greek, “a space of time, a fixed or special occasion.” 

Apostle Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:1, “...the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you,” God has a great and divine plan, and everything that is happening in flowing out of that with everything according to His will. His plan is absolutely perfect. Jesus said in the pattern prayer He taught the disciples, “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” The will of God is being worked out in this earth right now.

In Psalms 75:5- 6, “ Lift not up your horn on high; speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west, not from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Our Sovereign God is in control! Hear the word of the Lord. Vs. 8 says, “For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He poureth out of the same; but the dregs thereof all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.” 

God is working His divine plan, We are living in the last days of this age. His sovereign will is being brought forth. We must trust Him. He will bring about everything to promote His perfect plan “after the counsel of His own will.” In Psalms 60:3 it says, “Thou hast showed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.” If you feel astonished, trust in God. He is in control.

 

Romans 13:1-7 Apostle Paul says “Let every soul be subject (obey, or yield) unto the higher powers (magistrates). For there is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God.” While Titus 3:1-2 states, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.”

OUR DIVINE RULER IS COMING! II Timothy 3 tells us, “Perilous times shall come.” We see our nation full of sinfulness. We see our nation not only plagued by the Covid virus, but much evil and rioting going on. In I Thessalonians 5:1-9 Paul says, “But of the times and seasons brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them as a woman with child and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren are not in the darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

One day God’s perfect plan will come to pass. In closing let us look at I Timothy 6:14 speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ Who will reign in God’s perfect will and timing. “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; which in His times He shall shew Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords; ...to Whom be honour and power everlasting.” Walk on, child of God! Be ready for the Lord to appear at any time!