One Nation Under God

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There is not only one nation under God, because God is above all the nations, so every nation is under God. This is not about the United States, it is about your nation. This is not about the founding fathers, it is about God. This is not about man’s government, it is about God’s kingdom.

God deposes kings and establishes kings

In the second chapter of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. He called all his magicians, diviners, enchanters, conjurers, mediums, astrologers, sorcerers, and wise men to tell him what he dreamed and explain it to him. But they could not, so he command them all to be killed. When this news came to Daniel, he asked the captain of the king’s guard for time to answer the question.

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. (Daniel 2:19-23)

  • He changes times and periods of history.
  • He removes kings and establishes them.
  • He gives wisdom to those who are wise
  • and knowledge to those who have insight. (Daniel 2:21 GWT)

It is not a coincidence that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was a huge shining statue of a man, which prophesied the future governments of the world. We are still living in the feet of iron and clay portion of that prophecy. And, there is a rock [the Lord Jesus Christ] who is coming to smash the statue down and become a great mountain that covers the whole earth.

He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the garbage pile.
He seats them with noblemen
and gives them a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
He has set the world on them. (1 Samuel 2:8 HCS)

God controls each nation in the course of world events

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

God of gods and Lord of kings

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. (Daniel 2:46-49)

If the Lord could work with Nebuchadnezzar, he can work with the rulers of your nation

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)

There is a greater nation in the future of every Christian that is more important than the temporary ones here on earth. So set your affection on that kingdom, be a good citizen here, and wait for God.

But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. (Matthew 6:33)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

The Apostles Knew This was True

If there was ever a nation where God did not rule, it must have been the one that crucified the Son of God. No! After Peter and John were threatened and imprisoned for preaching the good news of the gospel, they thanked God. Can you thank God even in the face of adversity from the God-less nation around you?

When Peter and John were released, they went to the other apostles and told them everything the chief priests and leaders had said. When the apostles heard this, they were united and loudly prayed to God, “Master, you made the sky, the land, the sea, and everything in them.
You said through the Holy Spirit, who spoke through your servant David (our ancestor), ‘Why do the nations act arrogantly? Why do their people devise useless plots?
Kings take their stand. Rulers make plans together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’
“In this city Herod and Pontius Pilate made plans together with non-Jewish people and the people of Israel. They made their plans against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. Through your will and power, they did everything that you had already decided should be done. “Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and allow us to speak your word boldly. Show your power by healing, performing miracles, and doing amazing things through the power and the name of your holy servant Jesus.” When the apostles had finished praying, their meeting place shook. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:23-31 MSG)

National Flags by J. H. ColtonThe featured image is based on National Flags by J. H. Colton. This image is available from the United States Library of Congress‘s Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID pga.03927. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or less. I have rendered the flags as pencil sketches because I do not want to imply accuracy, historicity, relative importance, or any other message in the image. Some of these flags may be out-of-date or wrong and there may be missing flags. This is just an example of many different national flags.

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