The Sovereign Control of God

Daniel 2:20-22 ~ “Daniel answered and said: ‘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; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.’”
 
Rest well, dear saint, for God has all things under His control. Many will look upon this world and tremble at the descent into darkness that many peoples and nations have experienced, yet there is not one move, nor one moment, that has taken God by surprise. The LORD Almighty determines the end from the beginning, even as we find in Isaiah 46:9-10, “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” As we read in our text today concerning the LORD, “to whom belong wisdom and might.” God has all wisdom—He knows and comprehends everything. And, the LORD has all might and is able to do anything that He wills. And though we may not see in the circumstances that lay before us, let us trust the LORD Almighty.
 
As we consider the middle portion of our text today, we see three actions of God that we must trust even when we do not understand His purposes.
 
First, “He changes times and seasons.” A simple reading of this would indicate that the very rotation and orbit of this earth is set upon the hand of God. From sunsets to sunrises, winters to summers, the LORD moves this world through its cycles. We see in 2 Kings 20:11, “And Isaiah the prophet called to the LORD, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz.” The LORD God took this earth and moved the dial back. And then the sun, for ten steps, went not from east to west, but from west to east. Yet there is more to the control of God over the times and seasons, for He also is the one who sets up the events that take place. Jesus came at the “fulness of time” (see Galatians 4:4). There will be an “appointed time” for the end (see Daniel 8:19). When trouble comes or triumphs occur, it will be more in the hand of God than the ingenuity of man.
 
Second, “He removes kings and sets up kings.” Monarchs and dictators, presidents and kings, all leaders are set in their positions by the direct control of the LORD Almighty. This, beloved, does not mean that all leaders are good or that they are without their own evil intents. Many vile leaders have arisen in this world that defied the LORD God, rejected Him and did not fear His name. In countries where the leadership is elected by the vote of the citizens, and it is touted that the new “regime” is mandated by the “will of the people” do not forget our text today—it is ultimately by the will of God. The LORD spoke of Pharaoh, “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16). The Almighty had purposed Pharaoh to sit enthroned. And yet that purpose was not for Pharaoh’s sake, but that the Name of God would be proclaimed. We may see devilish leadership rise up in power, but do not fear—they are not outside the hand of God. And soon the King of kings will return and establish forever the eternal kingdom prepared for all who long for Him (see Matthew 25:34).
 
Third, we see God “gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Who, then, are the “wise” and “understanding.” Consider these two verses: Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” To whom does God give wisdom and knowledge? The answer, of course is: those who fear the LORD. God withholds the deep and hidden things from those who will boast about their own understanding and are wise in their own eyes. 1 Corinthians 1:20 declares, “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” There are many who make much of a knowledge that is set apart from Christ. They boast about their intellect and spurn those who believe on the LORD Jesus as simpletons. Yet, in the end it will be proved out that the wisest among us were those who feared the LORD and trusted in Him for Salvation.
 
So fear not, beloved, God is in control. He is sovereign over all things. We may see a season of trouble, or enjoy a time of peace. We may see the wicked ruling or a leadership that follows the LORD. For all of God’s children, we must walk in the fear of God and trust in His wisdom and knowledge, even if we don’t yet understand His plan.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael
 

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