Rhapsody of Realities Friday 4 July 2025 Devotional Message By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Christ Embassy)
TOPIC: TRUE AUTHORITY LIES WITH GOD AND HIS CHURCH
And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule (Daniel 4:26).
The Bible, in Daniel 4, tells of how Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him deeply. In this dream, he saw a magnificent tree that grew tall and strong, providing shelter and food for all living creatures. However, an angelic being ordered that the tree be cut down, leaving only a stump bound with iron and bronze. This dream perplexed the king, and he consulted Daniel, a prophet of God, to interpret it.
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Daniel revealed that the tree was the king himself, and he would be humbled for his pride until he acknowledged that “…the heavens do rule” (Daniel 4:26). A year later, being yet unrepentant, Nebuchadnezzar was struck with madness; for seven years, he lived like an animal, eating grass and roaming the fields.
According to Daniel 4:17, this decree came from the “watchers”: “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” The “watchers” here refer to angelic beings assigned to oversee matters on earth with authority to enforce God’s will.
Nebuchadnezzar thought he ruled the world until he was compelled to acknowledge the rulership of the heavens. It’s the same today. Those who falsely claim absolute authority over others, operating under the delusion that their influence gives them control over the nations, don’t realize that true authority lies with God and His heavenly Kingdom. All power belongs to the Lord, and He executes His judgements on earth through the Church: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).
We enforce God’s will in our world: “All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence” (Ephesians 1:20-23 MSG). Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the assurance that the heavens do rule and that all power belongs to you. I rejoice knowing that all the kingdoms of this world will submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I declare that your will and purpose prevail over the nations, and your authority reigns supreme, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 103:19; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 28:18-19
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 17:1-15; Job 3-5
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 6:31-38; Deuteronomy 32
Rhapsody of Realities 4th July 2025 Devotional Message written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, remains a life-guide with rich and impactful teachings from God’s Word. Millions of copies of Rhapsody of Realities, the best-selling daily devotional and Bible study guide have been distributed in 242 countries in 2010 languages of the world… and we’re still counting.
