Author: Brian Burdett

“And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
– Daniel 7:27

As is emphasized throughout the book of Daniel, God is ALWAYS in control. Even when fearsome and powerful empires reign and rage, God is in control. Even when terrible kings and demonic emperors persecute God’s people, God is always in control. Earthly powers, no matter how powerful they seem to be, only have a limited time to do their evil deeds. They will each end. Eventually, they will all end and their power will go to God’s people.

The day will come when King Jesus returns to visibly rule over all the earth. His kingdom will never end. It will be a kingdom of justice, righteousness, and holiness. Every knee will bow to Him, whether they want to or not. His people will bow joyfully. Everyone else will also bow, but for other reasons. His followers will reign alongside Him as we serve Him with delight in a world that’s been renewed and lacks any cursed thing.

So, as is always true, hold firmly to your faith, even when times are hard. Better days are ahead and they will never end. When will Jesus return? Anyone who says they know is lying. Llive a life that’s always prepared for your Lord’s return and you will have no regrets. #FollowJesus

“Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.” – Daniel 6:4

Daniel sets an excellent example for all of God’s people when we’re in the workplace. What was said about Daniel should always be true for followers of Jesus whenever we’re on the job. Because Jesus is our Lord, wherever we work, we should be completely faithful, responsible, trustworthy, hardworking, and competent. In Colossians 3, we’re commanded to work every job as if Jesus were our boss.

That’s true whether it’s a secular job in the marketplace or religious work in the church. That’s true whether you have a good boss, a terrible boss, or are the boss. That’s true whether the work is interesting or dreadful. That’s true whether you’re in a high position or low one. That’s true whether you love your job or hate it. That’s true whether you’re hoping to work there for many more years or planning to quit tomorrow. Whatever your work is, you’re working there as a representative and ambassador of Jesus Christ. The quality of your work and your effort must always reflect that.

Be careful to always work in a manner that brings Jesus honor and glory. Do your best, even if it isn’t required. Give a complete effort, even if others aren’t. Be responsible, even if you don’t want to be. Let people see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life as you work, especially when the situation isn’t good. Always be bold and honest about why you work as you do – because you love your Lord Jesus, Who is always your real boss. #FollowJesus

“He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.” – Daniel 5:21

The sovereignty of God includes the appointment of kings, emperors, presidents, and prime ministers. Whether they are good or evil, godly or demonic, there are no accidents. Daniel, Peter, and Paul are all emphatic on this point. As followers of Jesus, we may not understand why God has placed a particular person in power, particularly if they’re wicked or persecute the church. Nonetheless, we must trust that God has put them there for His purposes which are often beyond our comprehension.

The Bible teaches us how to respond to the leaders placed over us, including when we find them detestable:

– First and foremost, we are to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:2). That should include praying for their salvation, wisdom, for their character or policies to change to align to Christ’s, for favor toward believers, and for well-being.

– We are to live quiet lives of faithfulness to Jesus (1 Peter 3). This is particularly important if those leaders persecute the church. Never compromise your faith, but seek to live a quiet life out of the spotlight and filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

– We are to serve with Christ-like integrity if called upon (Daniel 5). Never compromise or hide your faith, but if called, serve for God’s glory.

– We must respect and submit to our earthly leaders, even if they aren’t worthy of it (Romans 13). That must never take priority over your obedience to Christ, Who is our ultimate leader. If there’s a conflict, you must always obey Jesus. However, if there is no conflict, you have no choice but to also honor God’s sovereign placement of a particular leader in a particular position at a particular time for His particular purpose. #FollowJesus

“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.” – Daniel 2:44

In a single night, God gave the king of Babylon a vision of the next 1000 years of history. A vision that so mystified and overwhelmed the king that only God could explain it, using His faithful servant Daniel. In that vision, God revealed the future of empires: Babylon’s as well as those that would follow it, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Each empire would fall and be replaced by another. Of particular interest is God’s promise of what would replace the divided empire of iron and clay representing Rome.

What did God have planned after Rome? God’s eternal kingdom that can’t be destroyed and will never fall. A kingdom established by God and overcoming the empires that come against it. And so it unfolded… In the moment of Rome’s greatest strength, the eternal Son of God was born into our world. Jesus of Nazareth came proclaiming that God’s Kingdom was present in Him.

Jesus demonstrated that God’s kingdom had been established by reversing the effects and consequences of mankind’s fall into sin. He healed the sick. He cast out demons. He raised the dead. This is the eternal Kingdom that began with a handful of souls in Israel and continues to grow to this day. This is the kingdom that overcomes empires. This is the kingdom that reigns wherever the name of Jesus is praised and He is worshiped as Lord. This is the kingdom where citizenship is granted as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus. This is, we pray, your forever home. This is God’s eternal kingdom, the vision for which He shared with a pagan king some 2600 years ago. #FollowJesus

“He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.’” – 1 Kings 19:14

It can be easy to start feeling overwhelmed by the darkness and evil that fills the world around us. Headlines scream the same bad news Elijah had come to believe in this verse. “Everyone has forsaken God.” “The church is dead.” “The battle for the nation’s soul has been lost.” “There’s only wickedness and evil at work in the world.” “Faith is pointless.”

This is one way the devil discourages and sidelines God’s people. The prophet Elijah had just been part of a massive triumph. He’d seen God’s miraculous power with his own eyes. And yet, he was scared for his life and felt completely alone in the world. He believed the lie that he was the last faithful person in Israel. But it wasn’t true. It’s never true.

God had preserved thousands who had never betrayed Him to worship the false god Baal. Elijah wasn’t alone. God was with him and God’s people had been protected and preserved. The same is true today. Remember this whenever you begin to feel all alone in the world. If Jesus is your Lord, then you definitely aren’t alone. He is always in you and with you. There are many whom He has protected and preserved. Don’t let the lies of the devil convince you otherwise. Don’t give into the paralyzing despair of imagining it’s just you against the world.

Jesus is still Lord and He sits on His throne. God is still sovereign over all creation. His will is going to be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Fear not! Take courage and find strength in the people of God! #FollowJesus