TODAY’S SCRIPTURE Daniel 4:34-35
When we think of world leaders, we think of people with an incredible amount of power. In the previous century, leaders like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot used their authority to commit some of the worst atrocities history has ever seen. While most countries have done away with a sovereign ruler in the present day, the past had kings and queens who were sovereigns, and they reigned supreme. King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel is such a king.
It is in Daniel 4 that King Nebuchadnezzar is reminded who the most High God is. The description “God Most High” is found four times in the book of Daniel and twenty-five times throughout the Bible. In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar is reminded that, while he stands as one of the greatest kings on the earth in his day, he is not the sovereign ruler over the universe. The chapter begins with King Nebuchadnezzar recognizing that the God is the sovereign ruler over the universe in 4:2-3, but in 4:4-18 King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that reveals he had better not forget that God Most High is the sovereign one over him. King Nebuchadnezzar’s trusted advisor Daniel interprets the dream to mean that if the King forgets who the God Most High is, he will become like the beasts in the fields for a period of time (4:19-27). He takes the warning seriously. However, twelve months later the dream comes true because he takes credit for what the God Most High gave to him (4:28-31). He learns right as he is taking credit for what God has given him that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (4:32).
We can learn from this timeless story that, while we may not know why certain rulers are given power, we must remember that our God is the sovereign who is in control and is working out history for His glory, which includes our ultimate benefit. King Nebuchadnezzar learns this the hard way, and he leaves us with one of the best descriptions of our Sovereign God when he is released from God’s punishment in Daniel 4:34-35. Let us use this story in Daniel 4 as a reminder of the power of our God Most High, and let us trust Him with those in charge today.
Today, I will…humble myself before the sovereign ruler of the universe, and I will take comfort that even our earthly rulers are under the control of our great Sovereign God.