This past Tuesday I went into my elementary school after work with two thoughts. My first thought was: this place seems a lot bigger from when I was walking these halls as a child, who’s only trouble was staying awake and understanding math. My second thought : I’m ready to vote. I went up to the voting booth knowing who I wanted to pick. Knowing who in the long run I would like to sit in the Oval Office. Knowing that there was a possibility that the candidate I chose may or not get more votes. However, I also remembered the One who can set leaders in place, use them, and at the same time bring them down.
That someone is the Lord God. Wouldn’t you agree we get so caught in who the best candidate is or what political party we identify more with that we forget who watches over all? We forget who places or allows men and women to sit in the positions they hold. We forget who has the power to bring people down and place another in their place.
King Saul was United Israel’s first monarch, but because he didn’t do everything God said, he fell out of favor with God. He was suceeded as king by David, the man whom he was exceedingly jealous of.
Another example is Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, one of the ancient world’s most powerful nations. Despite seeing God work through the prophet Daniel; seeing 3 Hebrews saved from a fiery death; and being foretold by Daniel that if he didn’t humble himself he would lose his kingdom, King Nebuchadnezzar couldn’t quite get over how awesome he thought himself to be. Twelve months after being encouraged by Daniel to turn his life around, he walked upon his palace basking about his kingdom and how he created it all himself. A voice from Heaven declared that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was then taken from him. He would be driven from it, would live with the beasts of the field, and eat grass like oxen for seven years. Within the hour everything happened just as he was told. He was kicked out of his kingdom, lived with the beasts of the field, ate grass, his body was wet with the dew of heaven, and his hair and nails grew long. After seven years of exile, Nebuchadnezzar finally humbled himself and praised the Lord God realized that God is above everyone, including kings.
It was foretold in Daniel chapter 7 that Greece would be a world power, but that it would be suceeded by another kingdom. According to an article on enotes, within 13 years Alexander the Great’s Greek empire stretched out from Macedonia and Egypt in the west all the way to India and Afghanistan in the east. However by age 33 he died either by fever or by consuming a lot of alcohol. With nobody named as his successor, Alexander’s kingdom was divided by his four generals. Then Rome had its run as an empire.
Regardless of whoever is in power in whatever the place they may be, everyone has a time limit on them. Even if it’s not the person we want in certain positions, God is in control. He can raise people up and bring people down.
Thank your reading, and God Bless!!
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