“the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand” [Daniel 1:2]

<p><b>“the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand”.  </b> We may admire the all-conquering Nebuchadnezzar but must remember that the true victory is the Lord’s. We may mourn the demise of Judah under Jehoiakim but know that it was God’s judgment upon the nation. The reign of Jehoiakim was unhappy and his conduct evil.

Yet these turbulent times did bring men like Daniel and the three Hebrew boys to our attention – again because the Lord was unfolding His plan and purpose. They also gave us the prophetic visions of Daniel.

And as you witness events unfolding around you, remember God is in control. It is He who gives and He who takes away, to both well-known and unknown. It is not whether you understand, but that you believe that counts.</p>