July 1
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Daniel 2:20-22
How many of us have listened to the global or national news and wondered, What in the world is going on? Without a firm foundation of biblical truth, we can easily be overcome with fear and despair. Despite the upheaval in political and financial realms, Christians can find peace in the knowledge that our God is sovereign over every nation and ruler on earth.
Though the future of a nation appears to be in the hands of its rulers and lawmakers, an omnipotent hand is orchestrating a good and glorious plan: the Lord is the one who "removes kings and establishes kings" (v. 20). Ultimately, every governmental leader is put into office, not by voters, political campaigns, or personal abilities, but by the hand of God.
Nothing that the Lord does is carried out in isolation. He's working all things according to His divine plan. We tend to think that a ruler has to be righteous for God to use Him, but Proverbs 21:1 tells us that the Lord can direct the heart of any national leader wherever He wishes. In fact, He describes two pagan kings—Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus—as "My servant" (Jer. 25:9) and "My shepherd" (Isa. 44:28). Unbeknownst to them, God guided their paths to fulfill His purposes for Israel.
When the news threatens to dislodge your peace or cause despair, remember who holds the nations in His hand. God's plans for this world are moving along according to His divine purposes, and no unrighteous ruler can thwart Him. Just keep singing, "He's got the whole world in His hands."
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Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2009 All Rights Reserved.