He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel 2:21 ESV
Heading out to church the other Sunday morning, I was listening to the radio on my way there, as you do, and amidst all the topics, news items and gossip of the day, the presenter in a break, played a song which has always been a great favourite of mine. Bob Dylan was the writer and The Times They Are a-Changin' was the song. It was simply beautiful to the extent that I gave it great gusto as I sat at the traffic lights! The song was released firstly as the title track of his 1964 album of the same name. It also went out as a 45-rpm single record in 1965 and reached number 9 in the singles chart. Dylan wrote the song as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change for the time, and he was influenced by Irish and Scottish ballads.
Ever since its release, the song has been influential to people’s views on society, with critics noting the universal lyrics as contributing to the song's lasting message of change. The song has been covered by many different artists, and it still has an effect on people today. In the band I was with in the 70’s, this was a song we used quite a lot at almost every gig to bring home what change meant to us. It was a big song with purpose.
Looking around the country and indeed the world today, we soon discover that in life, things constantly change and we read in the book of Daniel 2:21 ESV that He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. In life we have the guarantee that change will happen and really we are the ones with the problem, for change is something we tend to fear, it causes anxiety for we don’t feel in control of our lives. However, there is good news here and that is that God has a plan for us. He has a plan for your life which includes hope, future, and prosperity, but we need to learn to trust in God and allow the change to grow in us that we may become more like Jesus.
Church is changing these days and we need to go with that change for He has promised that all things will work together for good for those who love Him and keep His commandments! God is walking this life journey with us – we are not on our own. His presence is always with us, guiding us.
The old Sunday school hymn says it all:
Ask the Saviour to help you,
comfort strengthen and keep you.
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Every Blessing.
Tom Bonnar
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