One of the greatest kings in history had one of the greatest humblings, and thereafter had one of the greatest global declarations of who God is.
His name: Nebuchadnezzar.
Here is his declaration:
“After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.
His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
“When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”
That’s from Daniel chapter 4 in the Bible. His incredible story is worth a read. God used him to judge God’s people, but he became proud in all his greatness and defied God Most High acting as if he had acquired his position and greatness on his own. And God humbled him. And caused him to globally declare, by a letter to his entire empire, that God’s kingdom is everlasting and He rules over all.
A Few Others
Here are a few other examples of Biblical rulers of significance that God used.
Pharaoh of Egypt. The one who refused God’s command and hardened his heart against God.… but from whom God redeemed His people, displaying His power and destroying his nation.
Caesar Augustus. The ruler who ordered a census for his entire empire… and unknowingly moved a young couple to Bethlehem to fulfill the “Jesus born in Bethlehem” prophecy.
Pontius Pilate. The one who declared Jesus innocent and yet sentenced Him to death… fulfilling Scripture, as His death defeated all sin — even the very sins that sentenced Him there.
Today
I say this all to remind us of something.
Rulers — great, or not so great — have always been under the everlasting sovereign rule of God Most High. Some recognize it, some don’t. Some acknowledge it, some don’t. But they are ALL used for God’s Kingdom advancing plan and purposes.
In our day, Carney is said to have gained a majority government, albeit in a rather unorthodox and distasteful way. A mixed bag of directionless political colours with an apparent single goal to gut our nation.
Imagine being alive in Egypt centuries ago, where your leader was so defiant to God, that he decimated your country by his stubborn disobedience.
One wonders, are we on the same track?
But here’s the good news. Carney and his circus “majority” are also under the Sovereign rule of God Most High.
Carney’s majority is a pittance really. Small in comparison with much greater rulers of old who remained {lockstep} in line with God’s plan, and small in comparison to even some of today’s much greater rulers.
So as he goes about wielding his new “majority power”, a few things to note:
- He is very much under the Sovereign rule of God and nothing he does is outside of what God allows.
- What Carney does will also be used to advance God’s Kingdom.
- God will redeem his foolishness for the sake of His faithful people here in Canada and around the world.
- God will hold Carney to account as to how he uses his place of leadership — one given to him by God.
- God will continue to reveal Himself to Carney and Carney must repent. Otherwise he will be destroyed in the hardening of heart.
Majority is a funny word. It sounds so “major” and yet in perspective it is so minor. Carney is but a little piece in the Grand Story of what God is doing in gathering His church from across the globe.
Yes, Carney could perhaps wield some nasty and ridiculous changes in the coming months, or continue to waste our hard earned tax dollars. His track record would so dictate. And, maybe he won’t. But we do know this… as with all past defiant rulers…. God’s patience does wear out.
So Carney, look up… and look out. Recognize, and give recognition to, where your authority comes from and repent of your evil ways before it’s too late. God is gracious and may still bless Canada through you.
And you citizen, do not lose heart. The well-being of Canada does not depend on government. And the well-being of Canada is inside of God’s plan. God is in control and will use every ruler, whether good or bad, for his Kingdom advancing and for His glory. So pray for this nation and its leaders…. and remain faithful in the present hour. It’s not easy when rulers are living in rebellion.
Lingering Questions
But how can God let all these bad things happen? What kind of God is that?
Trace that all the way back to the beginning, and you end up with one continuous strand: rebellion. The very first sin man ever committed was an act of defiance and rebellion…. against God!
Sound familiar? That has continued resoundingly throughout history. But God has stepped in to redeem it all through Jesus Christ, and is not leaving man to his own devices. He takes all of mankind’s actions, and will judge them, and works for the good of those who love Him.
So God does let bad things happen as consequence to our sin, but turns them to our benefit.
Who knows? Maybe more rulers will yet have their sanity return and publicly declare Him.
That’s the kind of God He is.
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” Proverbs 21:1
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