Is anyone else sick of the campaign ads yet? Once again we are in an elector season that has turned ugly, with personal attacks, half-truths, and even outright lies featured in those intrusive and annoying ads. Both sides insist that if the other party takes power, it will mean the end of democracy, the ruin of the nation. I am quite aware that the election will have consequences for the country.

BUT I have lived long enough to know that swings from right to left and back again are normal in our system of government. Will the election of one party or the other really effect American history? Most certainly! Public policies for the next decade will be changed by the legislation enacted. My intent today is not to minimize the importance of this election, but I want to set it in context of Heaven’s truth.

God makes it known in the Scripture – “I am in charge of history!”

Consider Daniel. He was taken by invaders from his home in Jerusalem to Babylon where he was put in the service of a pagan emperor. It must have been hard for Daniel to reconcile the truth that God was revealing to him concerning His control of human events and the fact that his homeland was in ruins and that young Jews like himself were in captives in a foreign land. Yet, he stayed faithful to the revelation.

Daniel, despite tragedy, remained God’s man. As a result, he was amazingly effective as God’s spokesman through three successive empires!

One time, Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his counselors tell him what he had dreamed and the meaning of his dream. Impossible? Yes! Daniel went to prayer, received the revelation, and went to tell the king what God was saying to him. God showed Daniel that He was still in charge.

The king had dreamt of a large statue with golden head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, and feet of clay. God revealed the coming empires that would follow the Assyrian one. The key part of the dream was the Stone that was cut out of a mountain, not with human hands, which rolled down to destroy the statue.

What is the meaning?
All earthly kingdoms will come to an end when the King of Kings sets up His reign.
As hard as it may for us to discern, we know, by faith, that GOD HOLDS HISTORY IN HIS HANDS and HIS PLANS WILL SUCCEED.

When Daniel was about 80 years old, once again a king saw a terrifying vision. Belshazzar, the regent of Babylon, whose arrogance far outstripped that of Nebuchadnezzar, was throwing a banquet when a hand appeared to write on the wall of the hall. No one could understand the cryptic phrase – MENE MENE TEKEL PARSIN.

In the terror filled moment, the queen mother reminded Belshazzar of an old Jewish man who had counseled the prior king. Daniel came and read the inscription: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin” — “Numbered, numbered, Weighed, and Divided!”

Boldly, Daniel pronounced the message of Heaven.
“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. … But when his heart and mind were hardened with pride, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. …until he learned that the Most High God rules the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them. You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. For you have defied the Lord of heaven …you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! So, God has sent this hand to write a message.” (Daniel 5:18-24, NLT)

God rules!  Though the world is filled with chaos, though the parties declare that the end of all things is imminent, Christians are assured that Heaven has not abandoned us. The Scripture consistently calls us to be responsible, proactive, and engaged all the while reminding us that we are not in charge and that we need not be afraid. Though we are aliens in this world, passing through on our way to our home, the Spirit is with us and God is guiding us.

Jesus follower, I want to urge you to trust that revelation today.
Steady yourself in faith in God.
Don’t be duped by the politicians who claim the Name of Jesus and espouse hatred in the same breath!
Pray for eyes that see what God sees and a mind that thinks as He thinks as the Spirit gives revelation. In this election year when there is so much anxiety about the future of this country… remember the Truth!
“saying, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he alone has all wisdom and power. He determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” (Daniel 2:20-21, NLT)

I am NOT a fatalist! I accept that the Lord has charged me with responsibility to pray for His will to be done and to seek the establishment of what is good and just. So, I commit myself to discern His will and then to live with heart-deep faith and rock-solid assurance. Pray with me the simple and wonderful prayer that Jesus taught us to pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’” (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen