Dear Ones:
What dominates us? Paul, in Romans 6, speaks to us of that which has dominion over us. He states the application of this consideration when he says, “…to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey.” (v.14,16) “Dominion” means having control over, and this by the submission to someone or something. It is such a vital element of our concept of God, that we see the Lord Jesus as King…the absolute Monarch, holy and good.
In the fourth chapter of Daniel, we find king Nebuchadnezzar thriving and at ease in his palace, in Babylon. He has a dream, and Daniel interprets it for him. The application of the dream is that Nebuchadnezzar, who is so “dominated” by his own abilities, worth, and “sovereignty” (power), is blind to the eternal fact that: “…His (the High God) dominion is from generation to generation.” (v.2-3) The “application” of this concept of dominion is mentioned several times in the story: “…the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest (lowliest) of men.” (v.17) We find this mentioned again in verses 25 and 32. And then, the poignant declaration coming from the lips of Nebuchadnezzar: “…whose (the Most High God) dominion is an everlasting dominion…all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.” (v.35) The point is that the eternal God is sovereign, and Christ is the King, possessing all authority in heaven and earth. His will is sovereign also. Thus it is not for us to live according to our own will, but trust Him to bring us into conformity with His will.
One last thought. Paul wrote, concerning the gifts of the Spirit, “…the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally AS HE WILL.” (1 Cor. 12:11) Who are we to choose our gifts and capacities? Who are we to choose our calling in life? Scripture tells us that “…the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29) The same Eternal God who revealed Himself to Nebuchadnezzar, whose dominion is everlasting, and who WILL rule in the kingdom of men, will He not reveal to us our purpose, our path, and our possibilities, by the Spirit? May He be our King today, so that we may KNOW His will and way. Then His purpose will be realized in us, for He will enable us to see and embrace it.
Love, Dad