TEXT:

‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men’ (Daniel 4:17).

One of the common objections encountered when evangelising is, “If there is a God, why doesn’t He do something about famine, poverty, sickness, wars, violence and inequality?” The perceived lack of divine intervention deceives many into thinking there isn’t a God.

While the Bible says, ‘The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God”’ (Psalm 14:1), millions of level-headed people choose to ignore the evidence of a creator and an amazing creation, in favour of evolution and the ridiculous notion that something started out of nothing!

The Book of Daniel contains some amazing prophecies that came through dreams and godly interpretations. One thing is clear from them all, God in heaven is well and truly in charge over what is happening on earth. Heaven rules, is a fact!

1. Globally

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that terrified him and he immediately sought the interpretation of it (See Daniel Chapter 2). Not wanting to be deceived by some clever explanation from the multitude of magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans, he refused to tell them the dream. Instead he demanded they tell him the dream and interpretation, and if they didn’t they faced the death penalty. Drastic action indeed but one God used to His advantage to get Daniel into a prominent position within the nation.

Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fasted and prayed that God would reveal the dream and when He did, they marched in to the king. The dream about a great statue was really a revelation about four world empires, the Babylonian being the first which would be followed by the Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman empires. History confirms this to be true, yet Daniel received this revelation many years ahead of time. Daniel was alive when the Medo-Persians conquered Babylon in 539BC, but Alexander the Great conquered the Medo-Persians in 331BC, before the Greek empire was conquered by the Romans in 146BC. Daniel’s revelation about the Greek empire was very specific. He saw in his vision the prominent horn broken and replaced by four lesser ones. This is exactly what happened when Alexander the Great died aged only 31 years old and his four generals divided up the empire between them (See Daniel chapter 8 and 11:1-4).

How could Daniel possibly know this? Only because God knew and had determined it would come to pass. The Bible says, ‘He created all the people of the world from one man, Adam, and scattered the nations across the face of the earth. He decided beforehand which should rise and fall, and when. He determined their boundaries’ (Acts 17:26 TLB).

The next time you read a history book about the Greek and Roman empires, remember God told Daniel about them hundreds of years before they existed!

2. Locally

The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. Some of the surrounding nations intended to take the vacated land of Israel for their own gain, but God had promised after seventy years of captivity, the Jews would return and rebuild the temple and occupy the promised land once again (See Jeremiah 29:10).

The heathen thought their “gods” were bound by the boundaries of their country. God through his prophet Ezekiel declared that the following surrounding nations would not benefit from Israel’s departure, in fact they would cease to exist (see Ezekiel Chapter 25). Edom, Ammon, Moab and Philistia were all consigned to history whereas Israel remains as a nation, much to the chagrin of the surrounding Arab nations who would love to see this nation wiped out.

3. Personally

When someone first witnessed to me about believing in Jesus, the conversation ended with a challenge, “Why don’t you give God a chance?” That question both puzzled and impressed me. I was impressed that he believed God would know when I was giving Him His chance, especially with over five billion people living on the earth. I was puzzled that God could be personal when I felt He was a million miles away. Just two days later I discovered that personal God and invited Him into my life!

Then I began to see the God in heaven ruling in the affairs of my life. Decisions to accept promotions were in line with His plans and purposes for me. Some of life’s setbacks and disappointments became stepping stones to greater effectiveness. The Bible is surely true when it says, ‘We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labour] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose’ (Romans 8:28 AMPC).

God is not so great that He forgets about you! Some wrongly feel they cannot bother God with their prayers because He is so busy looking after the world. God has as much time for you as anyone else. Do you have any time for Him?

In response to those who say, “If there is a God, why doesn’t He act?” I usually reply, “Would you like Him to start with you? What’s the first thing He needs to change in your life?” It’s slightly hypocritical when we want God to deal with someone else but for Him to leave us well alone.

Perhaps it’s time for you to ask the God in heaven to rule in the affairs of your life!