“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings(Daniel 2:20-21)
On the morning after the election…I wonder how this e-mail finds you. Maybe some are confused, others cautious and perhaps even a few excited. I have three things on my heart, I believe from the Lord, that I would like to share with you.
One – Today, I call you to see the hand of God.
Here in Daniel 2 – Daniel is reminded that God is forever. Today, God is on His throne, as He has always been…and always will be. Nothing can alters that. This is something you can rest in.
Further when it comes to “change”, perhaps one of the magic words in this last election season – change comes from the Lord. That is what our verse tells us. “He changes the times and seasons”
On top of that – ultimately, it is God who puts rulers in place and removes others. “He removes kings and raises up kings” I realize there are many questions that can raise – but nonetheless – it is true. Understand that God is orchestrating history…it has a course…and a final end. (if you read all of Daniel 2 – you would see that the course of history ends in the eternal reign of Christ!)
Today, I call you to see God – to see His hand in our world and lives.
Two –Today, I call you to give honor to whom it is due.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God…Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Ro 13:1-7)
One of the dangers that face some believers this morning…is that we would misrepresent God. We would spew our own hearts – confused, bitter and even angry. Such is a misrepresentation of who we are supposed to be. I plead with you in conversations with any and all – that your heart be submitted to Him who appoints every leader – God. May we truly live today with a heart that represents the truth of who our God is.
Today, I call you to give honor to whom it is due.
Third – Today, I call you to prayer.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Ti 2:1-4)
We are called to pray for our leaders – that is what God would have us do. Yet the aim, is very clear. That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. Don’t misread that to mean comfortable or at ease. The verses that follow, some quoted above and the also the verses that follow those (v.5-7), clearly show that the real point is the gospel. The quiet and peaceable is not comfortable, but praying for the best possible circumstances to present the gospel. Crying out that God would orchestrate our world to bring many more to Himself. Perhaps some of the changes that are coming in our world will produces this far better than things we might have chosen. Perhaps. But one thing is sure….it is this that we are to be praying for today – for the gospel to go forward in power.
Today, I call you to pray for our nation….for a move of God in our midst. May we this day, show the character of God in this time.
Please read this next verse and make it what we pray for, what we seek to live today.
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Tit 3:1-2)
Calvary Roswell,
Jim
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