THE LORD REIGNS OVER ALL
THE LORD REIGNS OVER ALL
Nebuchadnezzar was a proud, idolatrous king. He thought all power belonged to him and he honestly thought he had the whole world in his hands and could do as he pleased. Well not only was he mistaken; he was very confused. Or how else would one describe a person who thinks he is much more than the One who created him. “Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.” Daniel 4: 29-30 NLT Nebuchadnezzar was certain that he had no need for God in his life. But he soon learnt his lesson.
The love that God has for humanity is so much that he sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us, and we are told that whoever believes in Him will not perish. This is how it is written in the word of God. And it is being preached for all to hear. So in a manner of speaking we have been forewarned and we will have only ourselves to blame if we refuse to acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
Nebuchadnezzar had taken the tribe of Judah captive and exiled them. He was so power drunk. But God used some of the exiles; Daniel and the three Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) to warn him about changing his wicked ways. When they refused to worship his idols; he threw them into the lions den and the fiery furnace and he got a front row seat on how God protects and preserves those who love and acknowledge Him, when the exiles were brought out unscathed and intact. “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.” Psalms 91: 14 KJV Yet Nebuchadnezzar persisted and took idol worship to another level of high. Eventually, God banished him from humanity to live in the wild like an animal where he lost his mind and became crazy. “You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws. “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”. Daniel 4: 32- 34 NLT
Sadly, nothing in the world today has changed. World leaders carry on as if they created the world. They really believe that everything is by “their own mighty power”. Most do not acknowledge the God of heaven and earth, the Creator of the whole universe, the Almighty, let alone acknowledge his creation and they continue in their wickedness. (Wickedness being “a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life, depravity, sinfulness; criminality. – according to the International Bible Encyclopedia.) But let us not think it will continue this way. It might seem that God is slack in keeping His promises about wicked people. But that is not the case. “Do you think I enjoy seeing evil people die?” asks the Sovereign LORD. “No, I would rather see them repent and live.” Ezekiel 18: 23 GNT Whether we like it or not, as much as evil seems to triumph in the world today, God is MERCIFUL. He waits patiently for the wicked to repent. He is giving them yet another chance because that is who He is. But one day like the day king Nebuchadnezzar was banished from humanity, it will be too late for those who continue to resist God.
Dear friends, let us not be carried away by whatever we have achieved. As leaders we must know that it is God who has made it possible and allowed us to occupy our positions and offices. Let us repent and “acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes,” Daniel 4: 32b NIV Today we are there ; and tomorrow God will allow someone else to replace us.
LET US DO OUR BIT; DO IT WELL AND REMEMBER THAT THE LORD REIGNS OVER ALL.
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©