The God of All Wisdom and Power

Pause:

Before you start reading this devotional, take a moment to stop what you’re doing, slow down and focus on Jesus. 

Pray and ask him to open your eyes to see as you read the scriptures, and to open your ears to hear as you wait on the leading of the Spirit.

Read:

Daniel 2:20-23: “He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever,  for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22  He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. 23  I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.”

Daniel 7:13-15: “As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”

Going Deeper:

We get on our phones, click on the Facebook app, and what do we see? It’s yet another politically-charged post. Our hearts are stirred and our blood may even begin to boil. At this time we may also be quick to muting, blocking, or unfriending our co-workers, family, and friends. 

What’s worse, is that this is happening in our churches as well. Those whom we call brothers and sisters in Christ often take a back seat to our political stances and “truths” we hold so firmly to. 

Sometimes we read something and act in fear. What if that person wins the election? Will this post create confusion amongst people? How will my community be affected by this person winning? 

For someone like me, this fear can be debilitating.  Since getting married, my husband and I couldn’t even talk about politics without me getting enraged at one thing or another.  I was what could have been called a “politically-charged” person. The truth I was believing was that we, the people, are to bring about all of the change we wish to see in the world. 

I left no room to see how God could have control or how he even cared about state or national affairs.

We see quite the opposite in the book of Daniel. In Chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan, wanted to kill all of the wise men of Babylon, and this included Daniel and his four Jewish buddies.

Imagine the fear and confusion of Daniel. What do we see him do first? Does he rush to the King and dissuade him?  Does he write five ways him and his buddies could get out of the situation? No. He asks his friends to pray for God’s wisdom in the situation. God hears the prayers and gives Daniel the message that King Nebuchadnezzar was seeking. 

We are called to pray just the same. When we see something that makes us angry or fearful, we are invited into a space with our Father to ask for guidance. The Holy Spirit will reveal if we need to speak or if we should keep quiet. 

All through Daniel, we see this theme of God being sovereign, or in control, of all of the rulers. He appoints rulers, but just as quickly takes them away. These reasons for God’s game plan weren’t laid out for Daniel. We too don’t have access to the mysteries of why or how God works in the way He does. 

The same still holds true for today’s time. God is able to control the events of the world, using the actions of people to further His Kingdom here on Earth. You may be wondering, ‘well how do riots or unjust killings further God’s kingdom?’ Although I don’t know the answer to those questions, I do know that our God is a God who controls all things, even the things that seem uncontrollable, in His own majestic way. 

When fear strikes in our hearts, we can also cling firmly to the dream that Daniel dreams in Chapter 7, which is also highlighted in Revelation. Our forever home is not this Earth. We have mercifully been given eternal life with Jesus through His life, death, and resurrection. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are invited to become citizens of the new heaven and new earth, where unlike our Earthly rulers, our heavenly ruler is always just, loving, and good. 

Pray:

Father, I thank you for seeing me and all of my emotions. Thank you for being bigger and more powerful than my emotions and opinions and big enough to handle them. Remind me of your truths in calling me your son or daughter and giving me an eternal home with you, Jesus. Give us the guidance and wisdom to know when to speak and also the power to hold our tongue. Thank you for being in control of Babylon in the book of Daniel, but also of our current nations. In Jesus Name, amen. 

Listen:

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you this morning?

Apply:

What are you going to do in response to what God is saying to you from the text and by the Spirit?