Strong People, Stronger God

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Strong People, Stronger God

Daniel 4:35 “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?'”

 

Nebuchadnezzar, by William Blake

There are many strong and powerful people in the world. In fact, the power to control things is present in each individual. We want things our way, and so we do what we can to orchestrate circumstances to our advantage. This can be done in a passive-aggressive way, which is the indirect expression of hostility, or it can be done openly where verbal or physical harm to others is the outcome.

 

Whatever the reason for these negative behaviors, those who struggle with them feel that they can gain control over others and get their own way. These powerful people disrespect authority and feel they have the right to be in charge.
A biblical example of a strong and powerful man is Nebuchadnezzar. He was the ruler over all Babylon, the world’s most powerful ruler of the day. He had the ability to control the affairs of his kingdom and of his people, and his subject’s lives were ones of fear and dread. He had the authority, the resources, and the position to dictate the outcome of every life for good or for bad. But there was something that King Nebuchadnezzar didn’t understand.
Though he was a strong and powerful monarch, there was Someone stronger and more powerful than he. His kingdom and position were given to him by the God of heaven, Who was and is the true Supreme Ruler of the universe. Nebuchadnezzar had some difficult lessons to learn before he came to the understanding that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men.”
 
One day, while walking on the roof of the royal palace, the king reflected on the glory of Babylon. In his mind he swelled up with pride and said, “Is this not Babylon the great which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”
 
While the words were still in his mouth a voice came from heaven proclaiming his doom. Immediately God removed Nebuchadnezzar’s authority and the man went crazy. He became like a beast and was driven away from mankind. He lived in a field and ate grass like the cattle for a period of seven years until he learned the truth. He finally recognized that the Most High was the Supreme Ruler over the realm of mankind and that any power he had been given was the result of this God Who was stronger than he.
At the end of the seven years, this once strong, powerful, and controlling king lifted his eyes toward heaven. His reason returned to him and he blessed the Most High and praised and honored the One Who lives forever. He finally recognized that “all the inhabitants of the earth[, even the strongest and most powerful,] are accounted as nothing. There is only One Who does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can ward off His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”
What a warning and a comfort I see in this story! For those of us who like to have control, we would do well to acknowledge the One Who has complete authority in all the affairs of men. There is no place for pride in a believer’s life. All we have has been given us by the Most High and He can take it away at any time.
For those of us who are struggling to live in a world populated by strong and controlling people, we have no need to despair. The same God Who was able to subdue a very powerful king has complete control over the people we deal with every day. In His time and in His way He will show them what He showed Nebuchadnezzar: “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. He does according to His will . . . among the inhabitants of the earth, and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, What have you done?”
 
Whether you are the controller or are being plagued by a controller, always keep in mind: Where there are strong people, there is a stronger God!

Love,

Mama

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Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

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