Against the Flow: Holiness in a Hostile WorldSample

Day 5: Inevitable Surrender

The world has witnessed a troubling descent into greater chaos. Geopolitical tensions have escalated, with wars erupting in various regions. Countless communities have been displaced and are left desolate as a result of evil leaders in power. We may be far removed from the heartbreaking realities in other parts of the world, but we are inevitably faced with these perplexing questions. Where is God in all of this? Is He truly still in control?

After receiving divine wisdom from God, Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. In essence, the dream acknowledged Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom and how he had fame and glory. However, his kingdom will eventually be replaced by another, then another and another. After the rise and fall of various human kingdoms, God will establish an eternal kingdom that will prevail (v44).

Amazingly, Nebuchadnezzar was so humbled by the message of the dream that he fell prostrate before Daniel. Here is the King of Babylon, great in power and prestige, bowing before one of the captives that he took from Judah! Earlier in Daniel 1, Nebuchadnezzar thought of the God of Israel as a “lesser god”, as one defeated by his “gods” (Daniel 1:1-2). Here, in light of what happened, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the superiority of the God of Israel as the “God of gods”, “Lord of kings”, and “a revealer of mysteries” (v47).

At this point of the narrative, Jerusalem was in ashes. The temple was in ruins. The people of Judah were in captivity and mocked by their captors. Yet in the midst of this, the most powerful pagan in the world lay prostrate before an exiled Jew. This scene carried a powerful message to the exiled Jews that God still reigns. Even if the present situation looks bleak, God has victory over the kingdoms of the world. No matter how powerful Nebuchadnezzar appeared to be, he inevitably had to surrender before the Lord.

This portrait of God’s sovereignty humbles us and gives us firm confidence in our future. No matter how “powerful” or “accomplished” we think we are in life, we are ultimately under God’s authority. No amount of human planning or strategizing guarantees us a secure future. With that, our appropriate response is to bow down before the One who reigns. Even when our external or internal world feels chaotic, we can surrender before the One who is sovereign over the future.

Prayer points:

• The presence of chaos does not indicate an absence of God’s sovereignty over the world. Take time to proclaim God’s sovereignty and pray for many across the world who need Jesus.
• Do you sometimes think that you are in control of your life and try all ways and means to chart out your future? Come before the Lord with humility and ask Him to help you come to a place of trust and surrender before Him.