Marching On

 “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 4:17b

This powerful verse out of the Book of Daniel gives us a great reminder that ‘we the people’ don’t have the final word on who becomes President of our Nation. The Most High God determines who will rule over the ‘kingdom of men.’ This verse sits in the middle of the narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar who because of his pompous pride, was abolished into the fields of the wild. Through God’s discipline he literally lost his mind right in the middle of ruling over the people. God has been using terrible leaders with horrible flaws for thousands of years. In our story of King Nebuchadnezzar, God referred to him as ‘My servant.’ How on earth can a king this hateful and vile be a servant of God? ‘The Hebrew term for servant is used to describe people the Lord calls or uses for special service, whether they are followers of God or pagans.’ Take Courage, Jennifer Rothschild, p. 30.

I find comfort in the truth that whomever is sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office was specifically placed there by God to be used in God’s overarching story. I find relief in knowing that man is only allowed to serve according to the manner in which God determines. I’m thankful that I can claim God’s supremacy over man after the election no matter who is speaking on Inauguration Day. It will be God who places Him there and uses him to accomplish things beyond his awareness, beyond his abilities and beyond his own plans.

‘God has ultimate influence over the hearts of leaders who influence the future of nations. When we realize that God has priests, prophets and leaders in His hands, we can stop wringing our own. We don’t have to be discouraged, no matter how bleak the national news gets or how dysfunctional the government is. Instead, we can take courage and march on ‘For the kingdom is the LORD’s, and he rules over the nations.’ Psalm 22:28.