See if any of this sounds familiar. First, imagine a time of tremendous prosperity for your country – the like of which the world has rarely seen.
Then think of a political leader. Riding that wave of prosperity, perhaps the leader you have in mind grows proud and pompous. He credits himself with making his nation great. This person may rightly be thought of as the leader of the greatest nation on earth.
But seemingly overnight, things begin to change. New health information comes in that makes this political figure anxious – and even afraid. Those who become aware of the situation are frightened as well. But his assistants and advisors seem to be confused and unable to help.
Then, the leader starts to “lose it” – perhaps even lashing out at others.
Some would say that this person seems to be oblivious to those around him. It becomes obvious that this person is the center of his (or her) universe; people like this think that everything is in orbit around them.
Some think that this leader has become almost inhuman. At first, there are only whispers, but then someone says it outright: “Have they lost their minds?” (Or as Americans might say, “Is he nuts?”) Public opinion begins to lean in the direction of putting this person out of leadership.
And you begin to grow concerned about having this person at the helm of your government. You are concerned, because you wonder if your leader has what it takes to lead. If adversaries were to invade, protests arise or urgent matters of state required his attention, how would he respond? And more to the point, how will you respond to your leader?
How should you, as a believer, respond when your leaders seem to have lost their minds? Or at least lost their way? And what if their advisors are only making the situation worse?
What would you say if the leader asked you for advice? And not to put too fine a point on it, but what if you knew that things could come crashing down for this leader in just a short time?
Which leader do you have in mind? The one I have in mind is named, “Nebuchadnezzar” and the believer was Daniel. You can read the entire story in Daniel chapter 4.
It was a time of immense prosperity (v.4). The king credited himself with making his nation great (v. 30). Nebuchadnezzar ruled over Babylon, the greatest nation on earth at that time. But overnight things began to change. He had a dream and it frightened him (v.5), but his assistants and advisors were confused and unable to help (vs. 6-7). His health deteriorated. The king began to act in an inhuman manner; people undoubtedly thought that he had lost his mind (vs. 16, 32-33) and drove him away.
How did a believer like Daniel respond in those cataclysmic times? How did he remain faithful and show support for his leadership? And how should we as believers respond to our own political pandemonium, in the midst of a pandemic?
It’s times like these that cause us to appreciate the treasure that we have in the Word of God. And learning to be like Daniel would be a good medicine for all of us in these days.
Consider a few of Daniel’s responses.
Let’s call them “7 God-honoring responses to our political leaders.”
- Daniel had maintained a good testimony of honoring the Lord (v. 9).
- He was known for remaining calm and working through difficulties when things were in an uproar (v.9).
- He gave careful consideration to what he would say to and about his political leaders (v.19).
- Daniel made a point of expressing his loyalty to his leader when he could easily have become condescending and reactionary (v.19).
- Daniel spoke the truth frankly and firmly without holding back the hard, essential truth (vs. 22-26).
- He made a humble appeal to his leader to repent of his proud ways and to do right by serving people (v. 27).
- Daniel conveyed his message in such a way that the king could clearly see that he was dealing with God and not men (vs. 1-3, 34-37).
These God-honoring responses will help us to lead by example. We can be what we want others to become. Maintaining a good testimony in turbulent times, helps us to make the appeal that Daniel made in Daniel 4:27:
“Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
King Nebuchadnezzar did repent, and he returned to prosperity with humility. But the story leaves us with an important reminder. Pride, even national pride, can deceive us; but the Lord humbles the proud (Obadiah 2-4). But when they humble themselves and repent, they will know that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:25).
Psalm 2 provides fascinating insight into the present rage going on in the nations of the world. For messages on this text, click here.
Pastor Gordon Dickson, Calvary Baptist Church, Findlay, Ohio