Take Comfort

In these unsettling times remember that God is alive and in control. Take comfort.

Nightmares can really be scary. Ask old king Nebuchadnezzar. On more than one occasion he was bothered by his night visions and could not take comfort. The fourth chapter of Daniel is a case in point. That night things were well in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar retired for the evening feeling very confident, but he awoke frightened and troubled. He had a dream about, of all things, a tree.

In his dream, a tree grew to great height. Its leaves were healthy and its fruit abundant. Birds built their nests in its branches, and the beasts of the field found comfort in its shadow. But, a divine messenger came down from heaven to demand that the tree be cut down and destroyed. Only the stump and roots were to remain. He could not take comfort in this. Why was this to be done? So that the living may know “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).

Daniel interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar. It seems the old king had gotten a little too big for his britches, and this was God’s way of letting him know he had crossed the line. That tree represented the king. He was about to be toppled. For seven years Nebuchadnezzar would dwell with the beasts of the field and eat grass as an ox. This would be true until he acknowledged that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:25). It was a not so subtle reminder that God was still in charge!

In these unsettling times we must not forget who is in charge. God is alive and still in control and we should take comfort from this. Once in a while it may look like the devil has gotten the upper hand, but it’s only temporary. Victory belongs to the redeemed! God has a way of dealing with those who have dealt Him out of the game. And, it’s not pleasant as Nebuchadnezzar was about to find out!

God is still in charge! Christians are on the winning team, so take comfort. Remember what John wrote: “…and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4, 5).

Take comfort! HE is still in control, and all is well in the universe. Are you one of His? Have you accepted salvation in Christ?

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully