Daniel was sent into Babylonian exile after King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (Daniel 1:1). Daniel was faithful to the Lord and also rose in the ranks of society as a wise man. In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he had a dream that none of the wise men could interpret (Daniel 2:1, 10). Just before all the wise men were destroyed, Daniel had a vision from the Lord that revealed the dream and the interpretation of it (Daniel 2:19). In response to this vision, Daniel praised the Lord saying:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” – Daniel 2:20-21
God is the one who both gives and takes away earthly king’s power. This was further demonstrated as Daniel interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:31-45). The dream was about the earthly kingdoms that were going to rise up after the Babylonians. He concludes the interpretation by saying:
“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.” – Daniel 2:44
King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, became king after his father. After his dream about the handwriting on the wall, Daniel interpreted the dream and said God was about to bring his rule to an end and the kingdom would be divided (Daniel 5:26-28). That very night, Belshazzar was killed and Darius the Mede became king (Daniel 5:30-31).
Under Darius, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for praying to God (Daniel 6). After the Lord preserved Daniel’s life, Darius made a decree:
“I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” – Daniel 6:26-27
Earthly kings rise and then they fall. Earthly kingdoms prosper, but eventually are overthrown. This does not happen by mere chance. Rather, God sovereignly works in and through earthly kingdoms and rulers. “He removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21). These truths are evident as you read the book of Daniel and they remain true today. Yes, even during the 2020 presidential election cycle in the United States of America.
God is about His glory, not The United States of America’s or any other nation’s glory. God is about building His Kingdom, not earthly kingdoms. God is sovereign over every nation on this earth and puts men and women into public offices in accordance with His will so that His sovereign plan and purposes are accomplished.
Earthly kings and kingdoms rise and fall, but there is one King and Kingdom that endures forever.
“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” – Psalm 103:19
No matter the results of the 2020 election cycle, rest in the fact that our God is on the throne and is sovereignly ruling and reigning to bring about His purposes for His glory.
Written by Jonathan Mitchell