LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Monday 28th July 2025
THE MOST HIGH RULES
Scripture Reading: Daniel 4:13-17
This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, so that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.’ *Daniel 4:17*
Sometimes life on earth seems to go on without God. This is so, especially when we see evil and impunity. It is as though God stands unaware or unconcerned when people perpetrate wickedness against others. People with influence and great power seem to determine the course of life.
However, the verdict of heaven is clear – God rules in the kingdoms of the earth. This heavenly decree was made to show King Nebuchadnezzar that God’s rule was higher than his. Through conquest, his kingdom, Babylon, had become the superpower of the day. He resisted the gods of all nations. But Jehovah God delivered a decree reminding everyone that He was set apart from all other gods. We learn from this that:
1. God sees what goes on in our lives. He watches over the earth. Life on earth does not happen unnoticed by the Lord. He sees those who make boastful proclamations and sit arrogantly. He also sees those who trust Him and look up to Him. Know, that God is aware of all that goes on upon the earth.
2. God guides human history according to His purposes. He does not condone all the evil that goes on in our world. However, no evil is so strong as to stop God’s will from being done. The Lord can turn what was meant for evil, to favour His righteous cause.
3. God’s rule overrules all human rule. Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king. His kingdom ruled over many nations. He even took God’s people captive, destroyed their temple and took out the sacred objects in God’s house. At a point, Nebuchadnezzar felt invincible. Many people wield power today and feel invincible, but, like Nebuchadnezzar, God overrules them all.
4. God will bring evil down. The days of every evil power that sets itself against God’s people are numbered. It may seem to go unopposed with no one able to resist or stop it from having its way. But as sure as God is and His word stands, evil will ultimately be brought down.
We must proclaim over the events of our lives and all the situations we encounter, that God rules in the affairs of men. Our lives and our destinies are in God’s hands.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you rule in the affairs of men. Overrule the decrees of the wicked and favour your children. In Jesus’ name, *Amen.
