These words were spoken by King Nebuchadnezzar, “And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:32).
Perhaps never before in the history of the world (unless it was the “days of Noah”) has evil flourished and apparently “gotten by” us as today. Because iniquity (lawlessness) abounds, the love of many and the faith and faithfulness of many- waxes cold; and many people wonder, does it really pay to serve Jesus? Is the way of the transgressor hard? Is there any goodness, or selfishness, or love left in the world? Is a revival of true religion – Bible Christianity – possible, or has God turned everything over to the devil?
The fact is, God is Still on the Throne and rules the universe. He will never abdicate, nor share with another, the power and authority of that throne! Let us never forget that! God will stay on that throne forever.
His laws cannot be violated with impunity. The fundamental principle of The Word of God- it shall be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked- is unalterably and eternally true. The reprobate who thinks he is cheating the laws of God and nature will find out that “… God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Some time, some how, some where, the harvest will come and that transgressor will pay up. Be not deceived; God is Still on the Throne. It is a righteous throne; it is a throne that sees all, hears all, remembers all, and pays all-in time or eternity.
Seven times in the book of Daniel God is called the God of Heaven, or a similar title. In the text before us, we are assured that the God of Heaven rules in the kingdom of men. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a great empire, a world rule. It turned his head, and he bloated with pride. He boasted, “… Is not this great Babylon, that I have built. .. by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). Were the heavens silent? No! “While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee” (Daniel 4:31). The king lost his reason, turning insane. He lived for the next seven years in the wilderness as an asylum and ate grass as an ox, and his body was overgrown with hair like the eagle’s feathers, and his nails became like bird’s claws. He was humbled until, at the end of the days, his understanding returned to him, and he blessed the most High ” … whose dominion is an everlasting dominion … and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth …” (Daniel 4:34-35).
The Lord He is God! The Lord He is God! He sits on a throne which cannot be shaken. True prayer still can pierce the din and clamour and noise and confusion that prevails on earth and reach the throne! The eyes of the Lord are still running to and fro throughout the earth “… to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him …” (2 Chronicles 16:9). The promises of God have not been annulled or disannulled. Man’s unfaithfulness hasn’t changed God’s faithfulness one whit! He that sows good seeds today will surely reap an abundant harvest! Sow the Gospel, sow it in tears, and you shall surely come again rejoicing, bearing precious sheaves! (Read Psalms 126:6)
Dare to be a Daniel! Make your prayer steadfastly toward Jerusalem, though all earth, yea all Hell, be arrayed against thee. The darker the night, the brighter thy light will shine, and the more its glow will be needed.
Dare to be a John the Baptist. Witness fearlessly for thy Lord and against sin. Witness when the throngs crowd around thee; witness when thy head must be the price of they faithfulness.
Dare to be a Paul. Step out in faith in the midst of this godless and perverse generation to show that God lives! Exalt the Lord! Preach the Word! Pray with importunity! Seek and expect converts! Lengthen they cords, set out they stakes, enlarge thy borders for God, and remember that God is Still on the Throne!
His Word will never fail. His work will go on. The true church is invincible. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. Let faith prevail. Let steadfastness plod on, never looking back, for “… your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
There is complete victory in Christ! Press on! Look Up! Walk with God! Be true! “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
Those faithful to the Lord will be vastly outnumbered in this day of apostacy, but stick to the right, be the crowds large or small.