20 … “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.

21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

— Daniel 2:20-21

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His actions.

— Psalm 145:13

14 I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world

15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.

16 They are not of the world, as I am not of the world

— John 17:14-16

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

— Matthew 28:18

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daniel’s story and prophecy helps understand the enduring nature of God’s eternal kingdom. Daniel chose to identify boldly with God while enveloped in a human kingdom that would crumble at God’s command. God used Daniel to communicate the succession of worldly powers that would temporarily triumph but eventually topple. The Ancient of Days—the Judge of all the earth—reigns as King of a kingdom that will never end. We believers find refuge in Him. We do not like to live in a fleeting world with temporary kings and transient pleasures. This world cannot steal the eternal treasure granted to us who belong to God’s kingdom.

Kings and kingdoms come and go; only God, His word, and His kingdom endures. Our human strength wanes and earthly treasure decay. We, God’s people live in the worlds but do not find our hope here. Only the God who foretells the future controls the future. God’s kingdom is eternal, enduring forever—never to be overthrown. The world’s succession of empires and governments will end, as will the power of Satan and all who follow his evil ways. The triumph of the Son of Man as King remain unwaveringly certain. All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him.