Confounded?
Political outcomes can leave us bewildered. What if understanding who rules requires us to look beyond the candidates and voters?
Sometimes, the results of a national election confound both the winner and the loser. The experts pursue every rational explanation: the quality of the candidates, the mood of the voters, the cost of living…the list can be extensive. But rarely, if ever, do you hear a national commentator address the possibility of interference by a higher realm—the spiritual realm.
The interaction of the spiritual and physical realms runs throughout the Bible. One of the most profound examples involves Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon at its zenith. He had a dream that disturbed him.
Here’s a little backstory. In 605 BC, when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoiakim, the 17thking of Judah, he took some choice young nobles to train for service in the Babylonian kingdom. Among these youth was one destined to be a high official and a prophet of God, Daniel (see Daniel 1:1-6). The first three chapters of Daniel describe how Nebuchadnezzar repeatedly elevated himself beyond his human station and how each time was rebuffed by God.
The dream comes in chapter 4. Daniel interprets it, revealing a verdict that remarkably resonates throughout history to our day: “…that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:17 NIV).
But the king couldn’t help taking credit for all God had given him and stated, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built…?”
Immediately, “a voice came from heaven, ‘This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes’” (Daniel 4:30-32 NIV).
The analysts of our day would likely say Nebuchadnezzar had a psychotic breakdown, or something similar, but God used the most powerful man of his day to demonstrate this central truth: history and the kingdoms of mankind belong to God and He shakes them to accomplish His purpose.
But there’s a more personal truth revealed: when God shakes up the political scene, He does so redemptively. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) tells us that God “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The Day of the Lord Jesus is coming!
God loves the candidate, the voter, and the nation so He gives us a time to seek Him and repent. Nebuchadnezzar repented and stated, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37 NIV).
Today, if you feel confounded, listen to and honor God. Acknowledge His rule and start living to serve God’s higher realm.
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