Hope in times of Darkness

Hope when times become Dark
Daniel 6-8
“And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve him.”
When Nebuchadnezzar was restored to power after God humbled him, it was a time of blessing and prosperity for the people of Israel.  While we do not know for certain, Nebuchadnezzar’s confession in 4:34-35 would seem to indicate that he became a genuine follower of the God of Israel.  With his proclamation, the worship of the God of Israel was elevated to the high level of blessing and approval.  With the proclamation, the Jews must have rejoiced, for it seems as if their misfortune of the exile was turning around.  However, after Nebuchadnezzar’s death, Belshazzar took power.  Rather than affirming the worship of the God of Israel, he openly mocked God.  It was a time when it seemed as if Satan and idolatry were once again controlling the day. Daniel lost his influential position in the kingdom and was removed from the position of power he had attained under Nebuchadnezzar.  It is significant that during this period of diminished influence, when it seemed that evil was once again controlling the day, God appeared to Daniel once more and set forth some of the most remarkable prophecies found in scripture.  
The prophecies in chapters 7 and 8 provide such detailed descriptions of future world events that those who reject the Bible and God’s prophetic voice claim it must have been written much later.  In Chapters 7-8, we find the outline of both the coming changes in the geo-political winds, but also some of the most detailed prophecies of the coming end of the age.  In 7:5 and 8:20, God proclaims that the two-headed nation of the Medo-Persians would overcome Babylon and that one of the two nations (the Persians) would be the dominate force behind their rise to power.  Then, after the rise of the Medo-Persian nation, another nation would rise that would gain control of the geopolitical world with unbelievable speed (7:6 and 8:21). However, the reign of this leader would be short, and his nation would then be divided into four smaller nations.  This was fulfilled by the sweeping victory of Alexander the Great and the subsequent division of his kingdom into four different regions controlled by his four generals.  Over time, one of the nations (Rome) would then become dominate and would again gain power over the world. The Prophecy concludes with both the prediction of a future nation (more about that in tomorrow’s devotional) and the arrival of God and his Messianic king, who would establish a final, eternal kingdom.
These chapters serve to remind us even today that the events of the world and the movement of nations are not arbitrary, governed by the political winds of the day.  Rather, it is a reminder that God controls history.  History is not cyclical, governed by the chance winds of politics.  Rather, events on earth are still governed by the God of the universe.  The world will not end because of global warming, natural disasters, or nuclear war.  History is linear, moving, and determined by God so that his will and purpose will be accomplished. The history of the world will come to an end at the time of Christ’s return, and everything that happens in the world is controlled by God, who orchestrates all things according to his plan.  Therefore, we do not need to fear the events that occur in the world.  God’s plans are unchangeable, and He determines and controls the outcome.  Therefore, we can rest completely in his sovereignty.  This is not only true of global events, but also of the events in our own lives.  We are not subjected to the winds of chance; rather, our life is governed by God’s sovereign purpose.  Therefore, we can rest in his plan even when disaster and adversity strike.  When cancer comes, and life becomes uncertain in our eyes, it is still certain in God’s purpose, and that purpose is always good and right.  Instead of fearing the uncertainty of our day, we can rest in the certainty of God’s plan for us.