Nebuchadnezzar is going to have to be driven out of the realm of ordinary mankind to learn this lesson.

The most high is the ruler over the realm of mankind and

bestows it on whomever he wishes.

Evidently Nebuchadnezzar is getting a little uppity in his thinking about

his rule over Babylon.

So what do we learn about God's providence from God's rule over Babylon during the days of Nebuchinezer?

In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens the book of

Daniel to reveal the depth of God's providential rule over the most powerful

king in the world. This seminar was originally given at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 6th, 1995.

Father, what we're about to look at as I meditated on it again this morning, is so powerfully

encouraging and emboldening in living the Christian life.

What you undertake to do on behalf of your people

at the level of nations is stunning. And we give you praise

for that Lord we praise you and glorify you tonight that you are the God of the nations, that the King's heart is like a stream of water in the hands of the Lord and he moves it wherever he will. And you always move it in ways

that in the end bring the greatest blessing to the greatest number of people.

And I thank you so much that you have our good at your heart when you rule the nations. Many times as we will see it does not look this way but is this way.

And I pray that our hearts would be opened and our minds would be sharp to understand these things.

And that we would be compliant to your teaching in your word.

And that the effect on our lives as we're going to see in

X chapter 4 would be radiant and dynamic and witness.

Pray this.

I pray, Lord, for any tonight who are here who have brought into this room burdens that are making it very hard for them to even think about this. Would you draw near and lift that burden

...