“In my vision at night I saw in front of me someone who looked like a human being coming on the clouds in the sky. He came near God, who has been alive forever, and he was led to God. He was given authority, glory, and the strength of a king. People of every tribe nation and language will serve him. His rule will last forever, and his kingdom will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14 NCV
I watched the last debate without the audio. It was both comical and disturbing. I do know who I will vote for next Tuesday. It’s definitely not my preference. I will pull the lever with great trepidation. I am fearful of what the next four years will be like. I worry about the type of nation my grandchildren will grow up in. Sometimes I do wonder if there isn’t a small group of activist who control the election process the world over. Some may whisper about the unspoken Illuminati. I don’t know. I am not a conspiracy theorist. I don’t go searching the dark and secret places looking for hidden agendas, and this post isn’t about my own political rhetoric.
It’s about trusting in the God who has been alive forever. This post about searching out the God who has seen governments rise and fall. It’s about looking to the sky and seeing the One who has been given authority, glory, and the strength of a king. It’s about serving Jesus. His rule will last forever and His kingdom will never be destroyed. The governement rests on His shoulders.
Sometimes I get a knot in the pit of my stomach because of all the ramifications this election may hold, but then I open up God’s Word and see my world played out in the pages of my Bible. I turn to the book of Daniel and I feel Daniel’s anxiety.
“I, Daniel, was worried. The visions that went through my mind frightened me. I came near one of those standing there and asked what all this meant.” Daniel 7:15-16 NCV
Yes, yes, Daniel I feel your pain.
Daniel’s world had been turned upside down. His nation, the nation of his heart, his beloved Israel had been invaded. He and most of his governmental headships had been taken captive and carted off to the pagen nation of Babylon. Let me tell you, the king who first ruled over these captives was quite crazy.
“All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later as he was walking on the roof of his palace in Babylon, he said, ‘I have built this great Babylon as my royal home. I built it by my power to show my glory and my majesty.’ The words were still in his mouth when a voice from heaven said, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, these things will happen to you: Your royal power has been taken away from you. You will be forced away from people. You will live with the wild animals and will be fed grass like an ox. Seven years will pass before you learn this lesson: The Most High God rules over every kingdom on earth and gives those kingdoms to anyone he chooses.’ Immediately the words came true. Nebuchadnezzar was forced to go away from people, and he began eating grass like an ox. He became wet from dew. His hair grew long like the feathers of an eagle. And his nails grew like the claws of a bird.”
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven, and I could think normally again! Then I gave praise to the Most High God; I gave honor and glory to him who lives forever. God’s rule is forever, and his kingdom continues for all time. People on earth are not truly important. God does what he wants with the powers of heaven and the people on earth. No one can stop his powerful hand or question what He does.” Daniel 4:28-35
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, give praise and honor and glory to the King of heaven. Everything He does is right and fair, and He is able to make proud people humble.” Daniel 4:37
This chapter comforts me as my nation heads to the polls next week. Everything about this elections is confusing, disturbing, alarming, and conflicting. Even the bond issues offer confusing rhetoric. Now do I vote yes or do I vote no. That is the question.
But you know what, if even crazy King Nebuchadnezzar finally gets it, I can allow God’s peace to settle my heart. God does do what He wants with the powers of heaven and the people on earth. Jesus’ rule and reign will never end and can never be destroyed. The arrogance of man cannot stop God’s powerful hand or question His authority. You see there is Someone who does control every election the world has ever known or will know. His name is God Most High and everything He does is right and fair and He is able to make proud people humble.
“If my people who are called by My name, will humble themselves, seek My face, pray, and will turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear them from heaven, I will forgive them their sins and I will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
I am one of those who are called by God’s name. I am His child. My job this week – pray and fast, seek His face, and repent of my sins.
As I wrote the book, “Through Their Eyes” I turned to the story of Anna the Prophetess. Luke 2:37 says of Anna, “Anna never left the Temple but worshiped God, going without food and praying day and night.” I can do that. I am called to do that. My nation needs me on my knees praying and fasting. Is there anyone who wants to join me this week?
“I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground.” Lyrics from Hillsong United song “Touch the sky.”
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Well said.