The Ways of Providence (Part 2) - God’s Hand Among the Nations

Our study of God’s providence continues this time with a focus on how God works among the nations. The Bible gives us key insights on God’s view of the kingdoms of men and how he is ultimately in control to bring about his kingdom on earth. Join Dan and Tim as they grapple with difficult questions about how God’s rules in the Kingdoms of men, how these rulers are still responsible to God and what this means for the believer’s involvement in politics.

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Key Verse:

“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” Daniel 4:17 

Show Notes:

God is in control of world events

• God, Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar (three times Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 cp v. 35; 2 Chronicles 20:6)
• Proverbs 21:1 - God turns the heart of kings like a stream of water

God’s use of Kings

• Cyrus, God’s anointed (Isaiah 45:1-3; Ezra 1:1)
• Nebuchadnezzar revisited (Ezekiel 30:21-25)
• They are unaware (Daniel 4:29-31)
• They are still responsible for their actions (Jeremiah 25:8-9,12-13)

One of the reasons that Christadelphians are not involved in politics

• Our awareness that God is in control
• A great comfort to know that all things will work out according to God’s will
• Daniel’s advice to Nebuchadnezzar (4:27)
• We shouldn’t get caught up in the criticism of government but pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2)