Kings

            In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that bothers him greatly. He, being the most powerful man in the world, doesn’t like that there is this dream he doesn’t understand. So, he brings in, “the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans” (Daniel 2:2); anyone who he thinks might give him an answer to the meaning of this dream.

         There was one small problem though- he couldn’t remember the dream. However, King Nebuchadnezzar thinks any wise man worth his salt wouldn’t need to be told the dream. They were, obviously, unable to give him what he wanted so he, in his rage, commands all the wise men in the kingdom be killed.

           However, as they rounded up the wise men, this included, “Daniel and his fellows to be slain” (Daniel 2:13). Daniel, with great wisdom, simply asks what was happening and when told goes to the king to ask for time. The King grants him time, he and those with him seek the answer from God, and God gives him the dream and the meaning.

             Daniel, knowing how great a thing God had just performed, cries out, “Blessed be the name of God for ever 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: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

             Daniel knew and understood a great truth, God knows all things because God is sovereign over all things. It was nothing for God to grant this knowledge to Daniel for He is omniscient. Daniel could stand before Nebuchadnezzar without worry for God is omnipotent. He removes kings and sets up kings. This fact would be the underlying theme of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream as God showed him, through Daniel, the next several centuries of human history through the lens of the great world kingdoms to come. Kingdoms that God would set up and take down.

            Our nation comes, again, to another crucial election. It is very easy to feel great consternation when it comes to who will be the next president. No longer are there general areas of agreement- both sides are diametrically opposed at just about every level. When we think of religious freedom and our ability to openly worship without government infringement it becomes even more imperative that the right person gets into office.

            However, what we must remember, is the person that gets into office will be precisely who God wants to be in office:

                   Romans 13:1- “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

                 Psalm 75:6-7- “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

                   Proverbs 21:1- “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

        We can lay out a list of everything we think must happen in this coming election. This person must be elected so this can happen or stop happening. However, in the end, God will put the person there that He desires- therefore, what happens is happening because God wills it to happen.

            As the political landscape just gets crazier and crazier, we need to remember it’s the hand of God that moves the kings as He sees fit. Ultimately, God will give us the person we need or the person we deserve; either way- He is still on the throne, He still works in His people, and He is still coming again- “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever”.