Daniel 4:34-35
"At the end of the seven years, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven. I was given my mind back and I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever:
"His sovereign rule lasts and lasts, his kingdom never declines and falls. Life on this earth doesn't add up to much, but God's heavenly army keeps everything going. No one can interrupt his work, no one can call his rule into question.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Two recent events immediately came to mind when I read this scripture passage. The first was the tragic shooting that occurred in Tucson, Arizona, where a deranged young man attempted to assassinate a congresswoman and succeeded in killing six people and injuring 19 more. While there are dozens of stories from this event, one that stuck out in my mind was that of a new congressional aide who actually ran into the gunfire and protected his boss… 40-year-old Gabby Giffords. He held her against his body and applied pressure to the gunshot wound to her head. Experts say he may have quite literally saved Giffords’ life, because she lost very little blood.
The other was the death of a young man who had been involved in a car accident. His parents are devoted members of the Emmaus community and dear servants of God. This young son lay paralyzed for days from a cervical injury and exhibited little to no brain activity. He left behind a wife and two young sons. But on the day he went to heaven, his organs were harvested. Another man received a liver transplant and now has new hope for a long life.
In both instances, incredible tragedy occurred. Hearts are forever broken, and the grief is almost unbearable. But at the same time, God’s heavenly army keeps everything going. In the midst of the chaos and bedlam of a mass murder scene, God’s army sent heroes to rescue… and to subdue the assailant.
In the gut-wrenching turmoil of giving up a son, God sent his army to bolster the resolve of grieving loved ones so that they could agree to donate vital organs to others who needed them. God orchestrated medical staff… and the “match” of a suitable recipient for this young man’s liver. Because a dear friend of my mother received a new liver a few years ago, I know how incredible the timing was for all of this… nothing short of supernatural!
We cannot bring back the people who lost their lives in Tucson, or the young man who was involved in the car accident. We cannot change world events or a lot of what happens to each of us. But we can recognize that GOD never changes… and His army is always at work – even when we can’t see it – keeping things going. We can’t interrupt… we cannot change… and we wouldn’t want to if we could.
Today, I am taking on the prayer and praise of Nebuchadnezzar. I’m looking to heaven… thanking and glorifying God, Who lives forever. I’m trusting His rule and recognizing the power and promise of His army to be present in my life and make the difference. Are you with me? Will you look to heaven and offer your own prayer and praise? Are you ready to trust God’s rule for your own life?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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