No Need To Despair

In light of recent events taking place in our nation and around the world, Christians would do well to remember that God is sovereign. He is still on His throne. He still reigns. The psalmist reminds us that “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne” (Psalm 47:8).

With recent elections taking place in various countries, and our own nation’s upcoming election in November, we need to remember that God is sovereign. In reflecting on this I was reminded of two former world leaders. The first was Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, wrote: For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17). Pharaoh did not appoint himself as king. God raised up Pharaoh as king of Egypt for His express purpose: to reveal HIS power and to make HIS name known in all the earth. It is also important to note that God is the One who defeated Pharaoh (Exodus 14:26-28).

The second world leader was Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was a proud, self-centered man. In fact, he made an image of gold and commanded everyone to fall down and worship this image (see Daniel 3:1-7). By the sovereign plan of God, King Nebuchadnezzar had become great and strong. In fact, Scripture tells us that his dominion extended to the ends of the earth (Daniel 4:22). One day King Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of his palace and proudly said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:28-30). Then God called out to King Nebuchadnezzar:

“O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will”  (Daniel 4:31-32).

We can only imagine what Nebuchadnezzar encountered. It was quite a humbling experience. Following this ordeal, Nebuchadnezzar blessed the Most High:  

for his [God’s] dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” … Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble (Daniel 4:34-37).

No doubt God used these two kings for His purpose. As I read the stories of these two world leaders, I was reminded of the words of King Solomon: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). Through the centuries kings, queens, presidents, and prime ministers have come and gone, but there is One who will never leave His throne. He is eternal, sovereign God. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and for all eternity, He sits on His throne. There is no need to despair! Keep trusting in Him.