Welcome to 10 minute Bible Talks, where we connect the Bible to your life.

In the time it takes to get to work.

I'm Keith Simon.

Leaders have a profound and lasting impact on the people they lead, whether it's a nation or a business or a school or a nonprofit or a church. Leaders matter. A good

leader can help people flourish and a bad leader often leads to strife and suffering.

Proverbs 292 says, when the godly are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked are

in power, they groan. Think of good leaders you've experienced in your life. Was there a good

pastor or Sunday school teacher who helped you learn the Bible or modeled what it looked like to

follow Jesus? Was there a good boss who helped you develop professionally? Maybe a good teacher

who gave you a passion for learning, or maybe a good parent who created a secure and loving

environment for you to grow up in.

Unfortunately, bad leaders have the opposite effect. They create division, strife, they often

use their power to oppress people. Sadly, history is littered with all kinds of evil leaders,

people like Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin, who starved, imprisoned, and killed millions of people.

But bad leaders aren't only a modern problem. Israel had its share of bad leaders who didn't walk in the ways of the Lord. They built

unholy alliances. They worshipped false gods. They participated in child sacrifice. They got Israel

involved in needless wars. Why does God allow evil leaders to gain power,

whether we're talking about ancient history or modern America? When we ask that question,

we recognize that God is sovereign and ultimately in control of all things, including human

kings and leaders. Here's Daniel too. Daniel praised the God of heaven. He said

praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course

of world events. He removes kings and sets up other kings. According to Daniel 2, it is God who sets up

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