JULY 4, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

JULY 4 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: DANIEL 2:20-23

The book of Daniel tells us much about God and much about people and governments. Daniel's people had continually sinned against God in disobedience, in chasing after false gods and in mistreatment of the poor and widows. Their judges were corrupt...their princes were evil and self-serving...and their religious leaders had no heart for God, but led the people into idolatry. Because of this God raised up a king in Babylon, named Nebuchadnezzar. He was not a good king. He had no consideration of the God of heaven...he was a murderous despot. Surely such a man could not be used of God, yet he was used of God to discipline His evil people. Israel went into captivity for over 70 years...their beautiful city and temple were destroyed and they missed so much of God's blessings.

We live in a time much like Daniel's. People have forgotten that this country was founded on biblical principles...that the men God used were, for the most part, Christians who wanted to be free to worship God...men who wanted, not a theocracy, but a Constitutional Republic that clearly honored and acknowledged the Creator. We have since turned from God and have gone off into every kind of ungodliness. We shake our fist in God's face and tell Him we don't need Him, we will do whatever we want. Each person has become their own final authority and each does what is right in their own eyes.

We have the government we have today because it is the government we deserve. A people cannot reject God and expect a godly government, honest judges, or righteous religious leaders. Is there any hope? I believe while there is life there is hope. God can still turn this around. He did for Daniel and His people...but they had to go through so much. Sadly, it is doubtful that we will learn from history, but maybe His remnant people will turn back to Him in these evil days.

Please share your thoughts.