September 20

Daniel 2

Sometimes the politics and wars of this world seem more than overwhelming. In the words of “Bones” in the old Star Trek TV series, it is, “Madness!” The killing is everywhere. If God is there, why does He not stop it? If He really does raise up and take down the rulers of this world, why does He permit the Hitlers, the Stalins, the Husseins, the Ammins, the Kim Ils, of this world to rule so long and wreak so much havoc? Daniel knew firsthand the ruler/builder/killer/madman of his world, Nebuchadnezzar. It was Nebuchadnezzar who destroyed Judah. It was he who defeated Egypt at Carchemish. It was he who humbled nations from Persia to Egypt, and he did not achieve it by being Mr. Niceguy. It was to this ruler/madman that God reveals his world plan.

It was in a dream, a dream that haunted the ruler of the world, a dream meant for instruction, a dream meant to bring action and hope, a dream of warning. God revealed that yes, He is in control of the rulers of this world. It was a dream that was so accurate that skeptics refuse to believe that it could have been recorded by Daniel, for if Daniel recorded it, then indeed the Lord is the ruler of all! It projected the history of the Near East for the next 500 years and then to the end of the world. It revealed that ultimately the Kingdom of God would destroy every ruler of man, and He would then rule as king forever!

You and I are players in that dream, like Nebuchadnezzar we have a role to play. It may not be as dramatic or as visible as his, but it is never-the-less a similar role. Our role is to choose. Will we choose to cling to the fact that:

Wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.

And so choosing will we permit that faith to yield obedience? Why does God permit this madness? He does so to demonstrate the human heart. We all think we are little kings and queens of our universe. We want our sovereign will to be accomplished. God permits us to have our own way for several reasons, but one is to clearly demonstrate to us that if He permits us to go our own way, we will together become corrupt unto madness. Ultimately He will step in and defeat our madness. The only question which we can answer is which side will we be on when He steps in? I want to be in His light, basking in His glory. I want to be found in the sanity of His glory, not the madness of man! Yes, He is in control, even when it hurts. Indeed, we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john