God Alone Is in Charge of Change
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Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 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; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” (Dan. 2:20-22)
There is so much we wish we could change in this wicked world, but who is really in charge of change and has the wisdom and holiness to make change end in ultimate good? When the world is dark and chaotic and evil is manifested, we must remember both the One who can change things and his character, finding our comfort and hope in him.
There is nothing that surprises God.
This passage from the book of Daniel above reminds us that our mighty God knows our situation. He has wisdom, “light dwells with him,” and he is in control of the powers in this world: “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings.” This means nothing is hidden from God, confounds him, or surprises him—“he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness,” and he has the power and wisdom to work lasting good change for his people.
When we face evil, we can know that these things have not taken God by surprise. Wisdom belongs to him, and only he knows how he will work all things—even the evils of this world—to a good end. We think of the many who have suffered for Jesus’ name, both past and present, and we are reminded that “‘blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt. 5:10), “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15), and “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
God is sure to bring about the change our evil world desperately needs.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t grieve deeply when the evil of this world afflicts us. In the midst of trials, grief, and the seemingly overwhelming darkness, we must remember how God loves us and will work things for the good of his people. We are not forgotten or alone.
The pages of history attest to God’s people being sorely tried and persecuted, and yet, as the church father and martyr Tertullian stated, “The more you kill the more we are. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” For indeed the true victory is the conquering of souls to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and this work of Kingdom building Jesus will not fail in bringing about (Matt. 16:18).
Only in the Light of the world—Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world—does this broken and evil world change and find its cure. Only by the cross of Jesus are men and women, both young and old, able to be cleansed of the guilt and curse of sin. And as we ask for it, God will give his people, those who understand spiritual things, the knowledge and wisdom to see with the eyes of faith the wonder of God’s work in the midst of tragedy and grief, to see the Light overcoming the darkness.
We need to be faithful while waiting for the ultimate change—God’s kingdom to come.
Because we know God’s love and care for us, that he will work all things for his people’s good and the saving of more souls into eternal life, we can trust him even in our grief. He is the Mighty One, and he will work in his wisdom as he “changes times and seasons” and “removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan. 2:21).
We must therefore be faithful in what God has called us to do—to be faithful to pray for his kingdom to come, diligent to go and make disciples, and ready to give an answer to a fallen, sinful, and evil generation, declaring the hope of eternal blessedness that is ours in Christ Jesus.
This article is adapted from “God Alone Is in Charge of Change” from Beautiful Christian Life’s September 2025 newsletter, “Change.“
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Ayrian Yasar, a Washington State native, holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Besides theology and Hebrew, she enjoys nature, theater, music, art, Seahawks football, cooking with her husband, gardening, and dreaming about owning a coffee shop. She currently lives in Florida with her husband Rev. Z. Bulut Yasar (OPC). Ayrian is the associate editor of Beautiful Christian Life.
