DANIEL 2:20-21
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning
To Ponder
I remember a time when I was living in Auckland, just after the Covid-19 lockdowns, when someone said to me: “The world’s gone crazy, everything's a mess.” At the time, there were protests nearly every weekend and people’s anger levels were high. The city of Auckland was different after Covid—it did not feel the same. There was a noticeable change in the political climate of the country. The world as we had known it had significantly changed, and many people did not know how to react to the chaos we were experiencing.
Daniel, in our reading today, lived in a world of change and chaos. He was living in Persia, the place where Daniel and God’s chosen people, the Israelites, had been taken into exile. The political situation he was facing was dangerous for him because he was a believer in God, in a pagan land with strict religious laws. His world, where he lived was uncertain.
Yet Daniel acknowledges in a prayer to God that God has oversight over all that happens. God "changes times and seasons," and he “removes kings and sets up kings.” This reminded him, and therefore us, that no political upheaval, social change, or personal transition catches Him off guard. God is not unaware. Nothing happens that he is not already aware of.
As people of faith living in our ever-changing and complicated world, we can find deep comfort in knowing that the same God who gave Daniel wisdom in his turbulent season of life is still the one who has oversight of the times and seasons of our lives. He is not distant from our daily struggles but is intimately involved, bringing about His purposes.
It is not just that God's oversight is comforting; it is also that He gives wisdom and understanding. In our online and social media–connected world, where we are exposed to so much information all at once, it is difficult to know fact from fiction sometimes. Knowing what is true and false is not as easy as it once was. We need God to give us discernment and wisdom all the time. Here is the good news: He does! He generously gives wisdom and discernment to those who seek Him.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, that you have all times and seasons in your hands, even when life feels uncertain. Grant me wisdom to navigate the challenges before me, trusting that you are working all things according to your purpose. In Christ Jesus name, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping